Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
A type of dried fish; specifically refers to small dried fish or fish processed by drying.
Tuna — refers to various species of tuna fish, particularly the bluefin; also refers to the sturgeon in classical texts.
roe; fish eggs; small fish
A type of freshwater fish, specifically the yellow catfish or Pelteobagrus fulvidraco; also refers to an ancient place name, Tongyi, in modern Anhui province.
Zéi — archaic term for cuttlefish or squid; also used in some Chinese place names.
Hou — refers to the Chinese drumfish (also called Chinese bahaba), a; also used in place names.
Kuai — refers to sliced raw fish, specifically in the context of; also used in names for certain fish species.
Anchovy — a type of small, silvery fish found in coastal waters
Shark; mermaid; legendary sea creature in Chinese mythology, often depicted as a fish with
fresh; delicious; tasty
Zha — refers to a type of salted and dried fish, particularly; also used in names of certain fish species.
Dried salted fish; especially dried yellow croaker; by extension, something dried and preserved.
Sturgeon — a large, primitive fish species valued for its meat and
Fish bone; bone stuck in throat; straightforward, honest, outspoken
Eel — refers to various species of eels, particularly the freshwater eel.
Silver carp — a species of freshwater fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) native to
Skipjack tuna — a species of tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) known for its
Carp — a freshwater fish, especially the common carp; symbol of perseverance and success in Chinese culture; also appears in the legend of carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.
Shad — a type of anadromous fish (Tenualosa reevesii) known for its
Minnow, small fish; specifically refers to the Ochetobius elongatus, a type of small freshwater fish.
Gun — name of a figure in Chinese mythology, father of Yu; also refers to a type of large fish.
Shark — a large predatory fish with a cartilaginous skeleton.
Grass carp — a species of freshwater fish (Ctenopharyngodon idella) native to
A type of rockfish or scorpionfish found in East Asian waters; also used in some personal names.
Crucian carp — a small freshwater fish species (Carassius auratus) commonly found
A type of flatfish, specifically the black flounder or stone flounder (Platichthys
Mackerel — a type of fish, particularly referring to the Pacific mackerel; also used in names for various fish species.
Ling — refers to the dace fish (Cirrhinus molitorella), a type of; also used in the name of the ancient mythological creature, the Ling
A type of fish, specifically the dolphin fish or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus),
Zou — small fish, especially the minnow; by extension, small, petty, insignificant; also used to refer to a petty person or a contemptible individual.
Herring — a type of fish in the Clupeidae family, often referring
Kun — a legendary giant fish or sea monster in Chinese mythology,; symbolizes vastness, transformation, and grand ambition.
Pomfret — refers to various species of pomfret fish, especially the silver
Bream — refers to various species of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae
Salamander — a type of amphibian, especially referring to the giant salamander; also used metaphorically for a small or insignificant person.
Catfish — a type of freshwater fish with long whisker-like barbels around
Sea bream — a type of marine fish in the family Sparidae,
Whale — a large marine mammal of the order Cetacea; also used metaphorically for something very large or massive.
Horse mackerel; a type of marine fish in the Carangidae family, often used for
Fish louse — a parasitic crustacean that infests fish, also known as
Mullet — a type of fish in the Mugilidae family, commonly found; also refers to a hairstyle resembling the fish's shape.
A type of cartilaginous fish, specifically a ray or a member of
Flatfish; a type of marine flatfish, often refers to the sole or flounder; also used metaphorically in idioms to describe a devoted couple.
Bream — refers to small marine fish of the family Leiognathidae, commonly
A type of fish, specifically referring to the bullhead fish or certain; also used in the name of the Chinese bahaba (黄唇鱼), a critically
Anchovy — refers to small, silvery fish of the Engraulidae family, commonly
Sardine — a type of small, oily fish; specifically refers to the Japanese pilchard (Sardinops sagax) in Chinese contexts.
Wrasse — refers to various species of wrasses, a family of marine
Gill — the respiratory organ of fish and other aquatic animals, used
Crocodile; alligator; a large aquatic reptile with a long snout, sharp teeth, and a
Loach — a small, slender freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae, often
Abalone — a type of large edible sea snail, a marine mollusk
Sturgeon — refers to large freshwater fish of the sturgeon family, especially
A type of small freshwater fish (genus Sarcocheilichthys), also known as the
Killifish — a small freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae, often kept
Bream — refers to a type of freshwater fish, specifically the bream
A parasitic copepod (fish louse) that infests fish gills and skin; a type of aquatic parasite.
Ao — a mythical giant sea turtle or turtle-like creature in Chinese
Fin — the wing-like appendage of fish and aquatic mammals used for
sole — refers to flatfish species, particularly tonguefish or sole fish; also used in the name for Chinese tongue sole.
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.