Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
To fear; to dread; to be afraid of
Worried, anxious, perturbed; a state of mental unease or agitation.
Lazy, negligent, remiss; to slack off or be indolent.
to dislike, to hate; to be resentful; a fool, an idiot.
Dull, stupid; obstinate; also used in the compound 憞怳 meaning confused or bewildered.
Sù — to be terrified; frightened; scared
Stubborn, obstinate, unyielding — describes a person with a strong, unyielding will
Pain — refers to a sharp, stinging pain or ache; used in classical Chinese medical texts to describe physical discomfort.
Xiao — anxious, worried; also means alert, vigilant.
To change one's mind; to reverse one's opinion or decision; fickle-minded.
Anger, indignation, resentment — a strong feeling of displeasure and hostility, often
Láo — diligent, industrious, hardworking; to toil, to labor; also used in names to signify diligence and perseverance.
Regretful, remorseful; to repent, to feel remorse.
Long for; yearn for; be in a state of confusion or uncertainty
Simple-minded, foolish, naive; straightforward, unsophisticated; also used to describe someone who is honest and sincere in a
To rest; to take a break; to repose
Composed, satisfied; serene and content; also can mean leisurely, carefree.
To pity; to feel compassion; to sympathize with
To awaken; to realize; to become aware or conscious of something
Clear, intelligent, understanding; also means to understand thoroughly or to be bright.
to stroke; to caress; to be astonished
Grieved, sorrowful; painful; cruel
Cunning, crafty, deceitful; to deceive or cheat; clever but dishonest.
Distressed, grieved; anxious; also used to describe a state of unease or discomfort.
Constitution — fundamental law; statute; charter
Fearful, terrified; anxious, worried; hesitant, indecisive.
Cautious, careful, vigilant; also used to describe a state of being alert and watchful.
Rash, hasty, impetuous — describes acting without careful thought or consideration.
To remember, to recall, to recollect; memory, recollection; to think of, to miss someone.
to fear; to be afraid; to shrink from
Flattering, sycophantic; cunning, crafty; wicked, evil
Disturbed, troubled in mind; anxious; agitated
Tranquil — calm, peaceful, serene; to be at ease; also means to feel secure or to be free from worry.
To be unrestrained, free and easy; to be bold and unconstrained; to act without restraint.
Reverent, respectful; serious, solemn; also an archaic variant of 警 meaning 'to warn'.
Obscure character meaning 'confused', 'bewildered', or 'distracted'; primarily used in classical texts and rarely in modern Chinese.
regret, remorse, disappointment; to feel sorry or dissatisfied about something that has happened or that
To excite, to stimulate; to be quick, urgent; also a variant form meaning to shoot with a bow.
To be discontented, resentful; to hold a grudge; to be indignant.
Anxious, worried; hasty, impatient; also means to be careful or cautious.
To understand; to know; to comprehend
Diligent — describes someone who is industrious, hardworking, and attentive; earnest and sincere in service or effort.
Sorrowful, grieved; distressed; compassionate, sympathetic.
ashamed; embarrassed; bashful
Cǎo — anxious, worried, agitated; also a variant form meaning dry.
sincere; earnest; to request earnestly
slack, lax, negligent, remiss — describes a state of being loose, relaxed
Should, ought to; respond, answer; cope with, deal with
Regretful, remorseful, vexed, annoyed — describes a state of mental distress or
diligent; industrious; to encourage
Delight, joy, pleasure — to be happy, pleased, or contented; often used in classical and literary contexts.
Fearful, apprehensive; to be in awe; solemn and respectful
Sorrowful, grieved; a state of deep sadness or melancholy.
Jùn — (archaic) severe, stern; also used to describe a person who is resolute and firm in
Nostalgia — to cherish, to miss, to harbor in one's bosom; refers to feelings of longing, remembrance, or affection for someone or something
resentful; indignant; discontented
Lazy, indolent, slothful; describes a person who avoids work or exertion.
Ai — to cherish, to love deeply; affectionate, loving; used in classical Chinese for profound affection.
To be fearful, apprehensive, or in awe; to be cautious and respectful; to feel a sense of dread or trepidation.
Contented, satisfied; peaceful, tranquil; also means weary, tired (archaic usage).
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.