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Chinese Characters with 3 strokes – ChineseNameGuide

Character specimen atlas

Characters drawn in 3 strokes.

Compare 3-stroke characters by structure, pronunciation, and symbolism, with enough context to judge how each one carries a name.

3-stroke index24 in view

01万wàn 02丈zhàng 03三sān

Browse the index

24 characters in view.

Stroke lens: 3

Radical

Stroke count

Pinyin initial

Indexed specimens

Read by form, sound, and meaning

24 characters in view

wàn

ten thousand; a very great number; myriad

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: W

zhàng

A unit of length (about 3.33 meters); to measure land; an honorific term for older male relatives

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: ZH

sān

Three; several, many; third

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: S

shàng

up; above; upper

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: SH

xià

down; below; under

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: X

jī

A base, stand, or pedestal; an ancient surname; archaic form of '其' (qí).

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: J

yǔ

and; with; to give

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 一
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: Y

gè

individual; single; unit

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丨
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: G

yā

fork; bifurcation; slang for girl (especially in Southern China)

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丨
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: Y

pán

A variant form of the radical 爿; meaning 'split wood'; used as a semantic component in characters.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丬
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: P

wán

pill, pellet, ball; small round object; used as a counter for pills.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丶
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: W

jiǔ

Long time; duration; lasting

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: J

jiǔ

A variant form of 久, meaning long time; duration; extended period.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: J

tuō

A unit of weight in ancient China; to entrust; phonetic component in some characters.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: T

me

Interrogative particle (used in questions); diminutive suffix (informal); indicates smallness or affection.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: M

yì

righteousness, justice, morality; meaning, significance; adopted, artificial

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丶
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: Y

Pronunciation pending

An obscure or variant character; sometimes used as an alternative form or component in historical texts.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3

zhī

Possessive marker (of); grammatical particle; to go

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 丿
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: ZH

qǐ

to beg; to request; to ask for

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 乙
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: Q

yě

also; too; as well

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 乛
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: Y

xí

to practice; to study; to review

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 乙
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: X

xiāng

countryside; rural area; native place

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 乛
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: X

gè

An archaic variant form of the character 個 (simplified: 个), meaning 'individual',

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 亅
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: G

chù

To walk slowly; to take small steps; a character used in classical Chinese.

Naming use not reviewed

This atlas entry documents the character; it is not an automatic naming recommendation.

Radical: 二
Strokes: 3
Pinyin index: CH

Index in view

24

characters in view

Current lens orderMore entries available

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Reading notes

How to evaluate a name character

Practical guidance for weighing structure, writing rhythm, and cultural resonance.

How do radicals help when choosing characters?

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.

What’s a good stroke range for name characters?

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.

Do characters have gender?

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.

Related topics:Chinese name generator Pronunciation guide How to choose characters