One of the more popular methods of naming a baby boy is based on the parent’s aspiration for the child.

Parents (at least in the old days) have different expectation of their sons and daughters and hence there are differences in the methods of selecting Chinese baby boy names and Chinese baby girl names.

The role of men in the family is to assume duties and responsibilities and in some cases to carry on the family business. In the old days, they (also) have to bring honour to their ancestors, uphold traditions and devote himself to his country and people.

A good man is also expected to have good moral character and be broad-minded. In addition he should also be strong and healthy.

Baby Naming Methodology

All parents also wish that their sons become ambitious and blessed with wisdom and capabilities.

On the basis of their parent’s expectation, their role in the family and the characteristic traits, Chinese baby boy names should express the following ideas. (I have provided examples with the Chinese characters and their meanings).

Bring Honour to the Family and Ancestor

e.g. Jia 家 meaning ‘family’
e.g. Zu 组 meaning ‘ancestor’
e.g. Ting 庭 meaning ‘clan’

Carry on the Family Business

e.g. Ye 业 meaning ‘family property’
e.g. Chang 昌 meaning ‘prosper’
e.g. Shao 绍 meaning ‘carry on’

Have High Ambitions

e.g. Zhi 志 meaning ‘aspiration’
e.g. Kai 开 meaning ‘open, develop’
e.g. Jin 进 meaning ‘forward, progress’

Be of Noble Character

e.g. De 德 meaning ‘virtue’
e.g. Dao 道 meaning ‘moral’
e.g. Zheng 正 meaning ‘upright’

Serve the People and Nation

e.g. Guo 国 meaning ‘country’
e.g. Shi 世 meaning ‘society’
e.g. Ji 济 meaning ‘rescue’

Have Strong Will Power

e.g. Li 力 meaning ‘strength’
e.g. Zi 自meaning ‘independent’
e.g. Yong 永 meaning ‘persistent’

Can Assume Responsibility

e.g. Zhong 重 meaning ‘heavy’
e.g. Zhu 主 meaning ‘undertake’
e.g. Dang 当 meaning ‘carry’

Strong Physique and Good Health

e.g. Shan 山 meaning ‘dignified’
e.g. Jian 建 meaning ‘healthy’
e.g. Gao 高 meaning ‘tall’

Broad-Minded

e.g. Xiao 笑 meaning ‘laugh’
e.g. Liang 亮 meaning ‘bright, open’
e.g. Kong 空 meaning ‘spacious’

Have Wisdom and Ability

e.g. Cai 才 meaning ‘talent’
e.g. Xue 学 meaning ‘learning’
e.g. Shu 书 meaning ‘books

And this is how Chinese baby boys end up with names like these!

Watch out for my next article on Chinese baby girl names.