Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
A type of insect, specifically a kind of katydid or long-horned grasshopper.
Gu — refers to venomous insects or worms; poison; sorcery
To exempt, remit (taxes, duties); to eliminate, remove; also refers to a type of annelid worm.
A type of sea snail or marine mollusk; also refers to a kind of jade or precious stone.
This character 蠴 is an extremely rare variant form, primarily found in
A large sea turtle, specifically the loggerhead turtle; also refers to a mythical giant turtle in Chinese mythology.
Silkworm — the larva of the silkmoth (Bombyx mori), which produces silk; a key insect in sericulture.
A type of spider or scorpion; refers to venomous arachnids in classical Chinese texts.
A type of insect pest, specifically referring to the melon ladybug or
Moth; insect that bores into and eats books, clothing, or wood; to bore through
Silkworm — an archaic or variant form of 蚕, referring to the
Barbarian — archaic term for non-Chinese southern tribes; uncivilized, wild, fierce; rough, coarse
A type of insect, specifically referring to earwigs (order Dermaptera).
A type of small green cicada or a small insect; archaic and rare character.
A type of caterpillar; also refers to certain insects or worms in classical Chinese texts.
A rare, archaic Chinese character with obscure meaning, possibly related to insects
Blood; bloodline; kinship
nosebleed; to be defeated; to suffer loss or setback
coagulated blood; clotted blood; blood clot
Nosebleed; bleeding from the nose; also used metaphorically for defeat or setback in battle.
To quarrel; to dispute; a rift or conflict
To vomit blood; to spit out blood.
To slander; to defame; to smear
Grieved; sorrowful; pained — describes a state of deep emotional distress or heartache.
to walk; to go; to travel
To spread out, extend, develop; to be abundant; to overflow
happy; joyful; peaceful
Brothel, pleasure quarter — refers to a place of prostitution or entertainment
A rare character with uncertain meaning, possibly a variant form or obscure
A narrow path or lane; an alleyway.
To boast; to show off; to flaunt one's abilities or possessions.
Art, skill, technique, method, strategy; originally meant 'road, path' in ancient Chinese.
To hold in the mouth; to harbor (thoughts/feelings); to bear (a title/rank)
Tong — alley, lane, thoroughfare; specifically refers to a narrow street or passageway between buildings.
Street — a public road in a city or town, typically with; also refers to a commercial district or marketplace.
An archaic variant form of 銜 (xián), meaning 'to hold in the; bit (of a bridle); rank, title'.
Yamen — an official government office or administrative headquarters in imperial China; also refers to a procession or retinue.
To guard, protect, defend; also refers to hygiene, health; a surname
To charge; to rush; to clash
Balance, measure, weigh; to consider, judge; also refers to the Big Dipper constellation and Mount Heng (one of
Thoroughfare — a major road, highway, or main street; a public road open to traffic.
Clothing; garment; covering
Clothing radical (Kangxi radical 145); used as a component in characters related to clothing, fabric, or attire.
to mend, repair, patch; to supplement, make up for; to nourish, benefit
To smooth out or straighten clothes; an archaic character referring to the adjustment of garments.
An ancient term referring to a type of clothing or garment, particularly
surface, exterior; to show, to express; meter, gauge
Slit (in a skirt); vent (in clothing); also refers to underpants in certain contexts.
The hem or border of an ancient garment; also an archaic variant form of 袘.
Shirt; unlined upper garment; clothing in general.
to line; to contrast; lining
The front of a pair of trousers or pants; the lap or flap of clothing.
Ceremonial robe — refers to an imperial robe or ceremonial garment worn
decline, wane, weaken, diminish; to decrease in strength or vitality; also refers to mourning garments in ancient times.
A decorative sash or ribbon attached to clothing, particularly the lower hem; also refers to the lapel or collar of ancient Chinese clothing.
A patchwork robe worn by Buddhist monks; to mend or patch clothing; a humble or simple garment.
A type of inner garment or underclothing; archaic term for clothing.
A decorative band or border on the front of ancient Chinese clothing; ornamental trim on garments.
Daily undergarments; intimate clothing worn close to the body.
A sleeve opening or cuff of a garment; an archaic term for a part of clothing.
Practical guidance for evaluating characters by radical, stroke balance, and cultural resonance.
Radicals group characters by their core semantic or structural elements. When you filter by radical, you surface characters that share meaning cues and writing patterns, making it easier to shortlist options with aligned symbolism.
Most parents stay within 6–16 strokes so signatures remain elegant and readable. Avoid extremes—overly complex forms slow writing, while ultra-simple characters may feel plain next to a more expressive partner character.
Chinese characters themselves are largely gender-neutral. Perceived gender comes from imagery and cultural associations, so review meanings and radicals together to find characters that match the tone you want.