Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
Sardine — a small, oily fish of the herring family, often canned
Large flounder or flatfish; a type of large marine flatfish.
Hao — refers to a large shrimp or prawn; also used in classical texts to describe something large or vast.
Part of the word for squid/cuttlefish (乌鰞); also used in the name for inkfish.
A type of freshwater fish, specifically the bitterling (Rhodeus spp.), often found
Chinese mud carp (Sarcocheilichthys sinensis); a type of small freshwater fish found in East Asia.
A type of fish, specifically the Chinese mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), also
A type of ray or skate fish; also refers to a horse mackerel or scad fish in some contexts.
Shad — refers to the seasonal shad fish (Tenualosa reevesii), known for
Amberjack, yellowtail — a type of large marine fish in the jack
Widower; bereaved; solitary
A type of black fish found in rivers; a specific fish species (possibly referring to black carp or similar dark-colored
Uranoscopidae — refers to a family of fish known as stargazers, characterized
Sole — refers to flatfish species, particularly tonguefish or sole fish, known
Ray — a type of flat-bodied marine fish, such as a skate
A type of deep-sea fish, possibly referring to a specific species of
A type of freshwater fish, specifically the bighead carp or silver carp,
A type of large fish, possibly referring to a species of carp
Fin — the wing-like appendage of fish and other aquatic animals used
Sardine — refers to small, oily forage fish in the herring family,
Sardine — a small, oily fish of the herring family, commonly used
Japanese kanji for 'hatsukami' or 'hatatsukami', referring to a mythical thunder god
Silver carp — a species of freshwater fish in the carp family,
Ao — a legendary giant sea turtle or turtle-like creature in Chinese; also refers to the top scholar in imperial examinations.
Chinese herring — a type of fish, specifically the Chinese herring (Ilisha
鰴 — a rare character meaning powerful, strong, or mighty, typically used
Cod — refers to codfish, specifically the Gadidae family of fish; often used in names of fish species.
Gizzard shad — a type of small, silvery fish found in coastal
Minnow — refers to small freshwater fish, particularly species like the minnow
A type of flatfish or sole (family Soleidae), specifically referring to certain
Bonito — a type of fish in the mackerel family, particularly the
Horse mackerel, saury — refers to various species of small to medium-sized
Eel — refers to various species of elongated fish, particularly freshwater eels
Xí — refers to a type of loach fish; also used in place names, particularly Xishui County (鰼水) in Guizhou province.
Herring — a type of fish, specifically the Pacific herring or Ilisha
Swim bladder (air bladder in fish); fish glue; isinglass.
A type of small fish; ancient term for a small sea fish or anchovy; also used historically to refer to a small coin or monetary unit.
An extinct species of freshwater dolphin, historically found in the Yangtze River; also refers to the baiji or Chinese river dolphin.
A type of fish, specifically the bowfin fish (Amia calva); also refers to dried fish or fish paste in some contexts.
Killifish — a small freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae, often kept
A type of fish, specifically the yellow catfish or similar species; also refers to a mythical sea creature in ancient texts.
A type of fish, specifically the yellowcheek carp (Elopichthys bambusa); also used in ancient place names and personal names.
Bighead carp — a species of freshwater fish (Aristichthys nobilis) native to
Octopus — refers to the marine cephalopod mollusk, often used in culinary
Kang — used exclusively in the word 'anglerfish' (鮟鱇), referring to a
Cod — refers to codfish, especially the Gadidae family of marine fish,
Turtle — specifically refers to soft-shelled turtles, a type of freshwater turtle
A type of small freshwater fish in the carp family (Cyprinidae), specifically; also known as bitterling.
A type of fish, specifically a large ocean fish mentioned in ancient
A mythical marine creature; a type of large fish or sea monster in ancient Chinese mythology.
Splash — describes the sound or motion of fish jumping or splashing
A type of freshwater fish, specifically the mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi), known
A large ray or skate (fish); sometimes refers to a mythical sea monster in Chinese folklore.
Dried fish; specifically refers to dried or cured fish products.
Yellow (in reference to a type of fish); archaic term for a yellow-colored fish, possibly a type of yellow croaker.
Trout — a type of freshwater fish in the salmon family, known
Eel — refers to various species of eels, particularly the Asian swamp
Eel — refers to various species of eels, particularly the Asian swamp
A type of large fish, specifically the giant bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum),
Mandarin fish — a freshwater fish species (Siniperca chuatsi) prized in Chinese; also refers to related fish in the Siniperca genus.
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.