Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
Scale — refers to the scales of fish, reptiles, or other animals; also used metaphorically for things arranged like scales.
Sturgeon — a large primitive fish valued for its meat and roe
Yao — a mythical giant clam or oyster in Chinese mythology, said; also refers to a type of large marine creature.
A type of fish, specifically the sillaginid or sand whiting (Sillago japonica),
A type of fish, specifically a goby fish found in East Asian
A rare character used in the word 鱜鱫 (xiāng ài), which refers; also appears in some classical texts and place names.
A large cartilaginous fish, a ray, specifically referring to manta rays and
Widower — refers to a man who has lost his spouse and; specifically denotes an old widower.
Horseshoe crab — a marine arthropod known as a living fossil; also refers to the animal in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Kuai — minced fish; finely chopped raw fish or meat, often referring to a traditional Chinese
A variant form of 贼 (zéi), meaning thief, traitor, or wicked person; also used to describe something cunning or crafty.
Fishy smell; foul odor from fish or seafood; rank smell of fish.
Sturgeon — refers to large freshwater fish of the Acipenseridae family, particularly; historically used in classical texts.
Elopichthys bambusa — a large freshwater predatory fish species known as the
Minnow — a type of small freshwater fish, specifically refers to species
A type of small fish; also refers to a legendary fish that can transform into a bird.
snakehead fish — a freshwater fish species known for its elongated body
Catfish — refers to various species of catfish, particularly those in the
Japanese sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus) — a species of fish found in the
A Japanese fish name; specifically refers to the Japanese butterfish (also known as the black scraper
鱫 — a variant form of 䲃, referring to a type of; also used in the compound 鱫鱜 to describe fish swimming in groups.
A mythical fish-like creature in Chinese mythology, often depicted with human-like features.
A type of small, slender fish found in coastal waters and estuaries,
Xù — silver carp, a type of freshwater fish in the carp
Huchen — a large freshwater fish species (Hucho taimen) found in rivers; also refers to certain catfish species in Chinese contexts.
Shī — Japanese kanji for 'sea dragon' or 'sea serpent'; used in Japanese names and mythology to refer to mythical sea creatures.
A type of large fish, specifically the Chinese sturgeon or similar large
A type of fish, specifically referring to the Zacco platypus (commonly known
Ancient name for a type of fish; a rare character used primarily in historical texts and place names.
A type of fish; specifically refers to the cutlassfish or hairtail fish (Trichiurus lepturus).
Halfbeak — a type of marine fish with an elongated lower jaw; also refers to needlefish.
A rare character meaning a large, mythical fish or sea monster; sometimes used to refer to sharks or large marine creatures in historical
Crocodile — refers to crocodiles and alligators, large aquatic reptiles with powerful
Perch — refers to various species of freshwater and saltwater perch fish,
An ancient Chinese character referring to a type of fish, now extremely
Eel — refers to various species of eels, particularly the freshwater eel; also used in names of specific eel species.
Fresh — refers to freshness, especially of fish; delicious; tasty
fish; surname Yu; used metaphorically for something desirable or abundant.
A type of small fish; a legendary fish with a human face and fish body; also used as a rare surname.
A type of fish, specifically referring to remoras or suckerfish that attach
Squid — refers to various species of squid, particularly the common squid
Pufferfish — a type of fish known for inflating its body when
Lu — refers to the ancient Chinese state of Lu; also means dull, stupid, clumsy, or rash; a surname.
Bream — a type of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family, known; also refers to triangular bream specifically.
Barb fish — a type of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family,
A type of fish; specifically refers to certain species of fish in Chinese nomenclature.
Spanish mackerel; a type of marine fish found in East Asian waters, particularly in
Flatfish — a type of marine flatfish, specifically referring to fish in
Catfish — refers to various species of catfish, especially the Amur catfish
Perch — refers to various species of freshwater and saltwater perch fish,
Scorpionfish — refers to various species of fish in the family Scorpaenidae,
Fermented fish; pickled fish; a type of preserved food made by fermenting fish with rice and
crucian carp; a type of freshwater fish; also used in historical and literary contexts.
Bass; a type of freshwater fish, often referring to mandarin fish or perch.
Abalone; a type of shellfish; also used as a Chinese surname.
Horseshoe crab — a marine arthropod of the family Limulidae, often called
A small freshwater fish of the cyprinid family, specifically referring to fish
Mackerel — a type of fish, specifically the chub mackerel; also used metaphorically to refer to old age due to the phrase
Salmon — refers to various species of salmonid fish, particularly Pacific salmon; also used in the name of the legendary Kun fish.
A type of clam; specifically refers to a marine bivalve mollusk with a thick, ribbed shell.
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.