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Which Chinese names go with our surname?

Chinese name builder

Pick your surname and the meanings you like. Each name shows its pinyin, tones and meaning, and how it could read on the birth certificate.

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Step 1 Your name ideas

Pick a surname and meaning

Names for

On the birth certificate

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Step 2 Your result

Your name

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Names to try

    Your shortlist

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    What this list assumes

    The names, surnames and meanings are our own list and plain reading, not an official list. Check a name with family or a Chinese teacher before you register it. The certificate line follows ICA’s own example, read on ; ICA decides what it registers. Your shortlist stays in this browser on this device.

    Source: ICA birth registration: names ↗ (opens in new tab)Data period: page last updated 13 March 2026Last checked:

    Source: ICA birth certificate: pinyin in the passport ↗ (opens in new tab)Period: not stated by the sourceLast checked:

    Step 3 What next

    Next in ExpectingHow much government support will my baby get?Baby Bonus + CDA maximiser →

    Common questions

    Is this an official list of names?

    No. The names, surnames and meanings are our own list and plain reading. Check a name with family or a Chinese teacher.

    How does the name appear on the birth certificate?

    ICA’s own example is Isaac Tan (Chen Xiao Ming). The surname keeps its dialect spelling, and the Hanyu Pinyin name goes in brackets.

    Can we register a Hanyu Pinyin name without Chinese characters?

    No. ICA says a Hanyu Pinyin name must come with a matching Chinese character name.