Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
Clang; clank; a metallic sound
To sell; to market; to cancel
Lock — a device for fastening or securing something; to lock up; to confine
Lithium — a soft, silver-white metallic chemical element (symbol Li, atomic number
Polished, gleaming; describes a bright, shiny surface, especially of metal.
Hoe — a farming tool for weeding and loosening soil; to hoe; to weed
Pot — a cooking vessel such as a pot, pan, or wok; also used metaphorically for a situation one is blamed for.
Zirconium — a chemical element (symbol Zr, atomic number 40); a hard, lustrous, gray-white transition metal used in alloys and ceramics.
Osmium — a chemical element (symbol Os, atomic number 76), a hard,
Rust — the reddish-brown coating that forms on iron or steel when; to become rusty.
File (tool); to file/smooth down; to reduce/weaken
Ancient unit of weight in China, approximately equal to six taels (liǎng); also an ancient unit of currency.
Sharp point; cutting edge; vanguard
Zinc — a bluish-white metallic element, used in alloys and as a
Matte — a metallic sulfide mixture, especially an intermediate product in smelting
Californium — a synthetic radioactive metallic element with the symbol Cf and
Mace — a type of ancient Chinese weapon, typically a metal rod; historically used by cavalry; also refers to a specific component in traditional Chinese architecture.
Sharp; acute; keen
Antimony — a metallic chemical element (symbol Sb, atomic number 51); used in alloys, flame retardants, and semiconductors.
A type of iron chain or shackles; used in the word '锒铛' meaning iron chains or the clanging sound
To carve; to engrave (especially on wood or metal blocks for printing).
To mend or patch with cramps or staples, especially ceramics or metalware; also refers to the element curium.
Actinium — a radioactive chemical element with symbol Ac and atomic number; a silvery-white metallic element.
Dark blue; a dark or dull blue color; also refers to certain oxidized minerals or patina on metals.
Germanium — a chemical element (symbol Ge, atomic number 32); a lustrous, hard, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group.
Nobelium — a synthetic radioactive chemical element with symbol No and atomic
Wrong, incorrect, mistake; fault, error; cross, interlocking
Anchor — a heavy object, typically metal, used to moor a vessel; metaphorically, something that provides stability or security.
Adze — a woodworking tool similar to an axe with a blade; to cut or carve with an adze.
Qi — an ancient type of cooking vessel with three legs; also refers to an ancient type of axe; used in some personal names.
Technetium — a synthetic chemical element with symbol Tc and atomic number; the first artificially produced element.
Small ingot of gold or silver; a small piece of precious metal used as currency in ancient China.
A legendary ancient sword or precious metal; used in names to convey strength, sharpness, and value.
Chāng — an ancient term for a type of bell or chime; also refers to a kind of vessel or cauldron in ancient times.
Tin — a silvery-white metal; also used to mean 'bestow' or 'grant' in classical contexts.
To confine; to imprison; to restrain
Gong — a large, flat, circular metal percussion instrument that is struck
Hammer — a tool with a heavy head and handle used for; to hammer, strike, or forge.
Awl — a pointed tool for piercing holes; anything shaped like an awl; to pierce or bore.
Brocade — a rich, decorative fabric with intricate patterns; by extension, something beautiful, splendid, or brilliant.
Executioner's block — an ancient wooden block used for beheadings; chopping block.
Shovel — a tool with a broad blade and typically a long
To curl; to bend metal; to coil.
Countersinking — a machining process of cutting a conical hole to allow; also refers to the countersink tool itself.
Berkelium — a synthetic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic
Long spear; ancient weapon; also used in names.
Ingot; spindle; a shaped piece of metal, especially gold or silver
Key — a metal device used to lock or unlock; crucial element or component; button on a keyboard or keypad
Saw — a tool with a toothed blade for cutting hard materials; to cut with a saw.
Manganese — a grayish-white, hard, brittle metallic element used in steel alloys
Ancient unit of weight equal to one-quarter of a tael (about 6.25; used metaphorically to indicate very small amounts or trifling matters.
To carve; to engrave; to chisel
Ying — a rare character used in names, referring to the sound; archaic term for a precious stone.
Kai — refers to high-quality iron or steel; excellent quality; fine metal
Clang; clatter; tinkling sound of metals or jade striking together
Strontium — a soft, silver-yellow metallic chemical element (symbol Sr, atomic number
Sword blade; the cutting edge of a sword; also refers to something sharp or protruding like a blade.
Spade; a tool for digging or shoveling earth; ancient implement for excavation.
Spade; shovel — a digging tool with a broad metal blade and a
To forge metal; to smith; to temper
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.