Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
A type of fish, specifically the male salmon; also refers to a legendary fish in Chinese mythology.
A type of fish, specifically the Chinese mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), also
Herring — a type of small, silvery fish in the family Clupeidae,
Salamander — refers to amphibians of the order Caudata; also used metaphorically for a small, weak person or creature.
Squid; a type of cuttlefish or squid used for food, particularly in Japanese
Kun — a legendary giant fish or sea monster in Chinese mythology,; symbolizes vastness, transformation, and potential.
A legendary fish-like creature in Chinese mythology; also refers to a type of fish in ancient texts.
A type of fish, specifically the Japanese grenadier anchovy (Coilia nasus), a
Pomfret — a type of marine fish, often silver and round-bodied, commonly
Whale — a large marine mammal; also used metaphorically for something huge or massive.
A type of fish, specifically the black bream or similar species found
Ling — refers to the dace fish (Cirrhinus molitorella), a freshwater fish; also used in the name of the Chinese mud carp.
small fish; insignificant person; petty
A type of fish, specifically the black carp or Mylopharyngodon piceus; also refers to a legendary fish in Chinese mythology.
Mang — refers to a type of small freshwater fish found in
Zong — refers to a type of freshwater fish found in Chinese
Japanese Spanish mackerel — a type of fish (Scomberomorus niphonius) found in
Catfish — refers to various species of freshwater catfish, particularly the Amur
Shachi — a mythical sea creature in Japanese folklore with a tiger's; commonly seen as roof ornaments on Japanese castles.
Loach — refers to small freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae, particularly
Hokkaido (Japanese prefecture); specifically refers to Hokkaido in Japanese contexts.
Catfish — refers to various species of catfish, particularly the Amur catfish
Horse mackerel — a type of marine fish in the family Carangidae,
Grass carp — a type of freshwater fish (Ctenopharyngodon idella) commonly found
Anchovy — a small, common forage fish of the family Engraulidae, often
Pufferfish — refers to globefish or blowfish, a type of poisonous fish
Fishy smell; the odor of raw fish or seafood; foul, unpleasant smell.
Fish roe; fish eggs; spawn of fish.
Terapon — refers to a genus of fish in the family Terapontidae,
Zong — a type of fish, specifically the Japanese Spanish mackerel or
Crucian carp — a common freshwater fish species (Carassius auratus) widely distributed
Bream — a type of freshwater fish, specifically the flathead bream (Megalobrama)
Bream — refers to a type of freshwater fish, specifically the bream
A variant form of 鯇 (huàn), referring to the grass carp fish
Freshwater fish; specifically refers to a type of fish, often translated as 'fresh fish'
Cuttlefish — refers to various species of cephalopods, particularly cuttlefish and squid.
A type of fish, specifically the Japanese butterfish or escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum),
A type of ancient fish or swordfish; also used in historical texts to refer to a specific kind of
A type of fish, possibly referring to a specific species in Chinese
Sawfish; a type of fish with a long, saw-like snout; also refers to the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius).
Squid; cuttlefish; a type of marine cephalopod mollusk.
Flatfish, flounder — a type of flat marine fish that lives on
Huso — refers to the sturgeon fish, specifically the kaluga sturgeon (Huso
Pacific herring — a type of fish found in the North Pacific
A type of large freshwater catfish found in Chinese rivers, specifically referring
Loach — a type of small, slender freshwater fish in the family; also refers to earthworm in some contexts.
Loach — a small, slender freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae, often
A type of fish, possibly referring to a specific species of carp
Bream — refers to various species of bream fish, particularly ponyfish (Leiognathidae
Crocodile; alligator; refers to large aquatic reptiles of the order Crocodilia.
A type of fish, specifically a yellow croaker or yellowfish; also refers to a yellow-colored marine creature.
Abalone — a type of large edible sea snail, a marine mollusk
Gill — the respiratory organ of fish and other aquatic animals.
A type of fish; also refers to a mythical sea creature in ancient Chinese texts.
Shrimp; prawn; also refers to small crustaceans in general.
Fish tail; caudal fin of a fish; also refers to the tail-like part of certain aquatic animals.
A type of fish, specifically the bullhead or sculpin fish; used in the name of a legendary fish in Chinese mythology.
Japanese name for the black porgy fish (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), used in Japanese
A type of fish, specifically the Pacific saury (Cololabis saira); also used in some place names.
A type of fish, specifically the Japanese sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus), also known
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.