Q: Who?

Annie , LTL Director of Studies

Q: Why?

"I chose the name 貝妍熹 Bèi Yánxī for you. 貝 bèi is used in characters for wealth and money, so I hope that you will be rich in your life, it also sounds like the second half of your last name ‘Garbett’. 妍 yán means beautiful. I think you are beautiful now and will be 40 years later, so at that time people will still ask you where you are studying! 熹 xī means bright and warm, I think you’re a warm person and you were born at midday, when it’s brightest.”

Q: Why?

"The name I have chosen for you is 高伊函 Gāo Yīhán. In terms of the pronunciation of this name, I chose characters that sound uplifting. I also hope that with this name, you will flourish in the future. I chose a name that has 24 strokes because according to 黃曆 huánglì, The Chinese Calendar, a name with 24 strokes represents 吉jí, meaning lucky. Therefore, this name will bring you good fortune! As for the individual names, I chose 高 based on your English surname, as the pronunciation is similar. I chose 伊 because on one hand because its pronunciation is similar to your middle name, Elizabeth. It also refers to the customary words used in our country to translate the name of the Queen of England! Finally, I chose 函 as it is similar to the pronunciation of Hannah. This character also means “armor” and “tolerance”.

Q: Can I choose a name that sounds like my English name?

You can indeed! For example, if your name is Lily, your Chinese name can be 丽丽 Lìlì. Alternatively, if your name is Harry , you could use the name 哈利 Hālì!

Question 1

Who?

Accepted Answer

Annie, LTL Director of Studies

Question 2

Why

Accepted Answer

“I gave you this name because 栩 means lively and I think you’re very 活泼 (huópō, lively).

葵 means sunflower, which I chose because I think you’re optimistic and want you to stay that way.

Sunflowers also always face the sun and you were born at midday, when the sun is strongest.”

Question 3

Who?

Accepted Answer

Betty, NTUE Masters Student

Question 4

Why?

Accepted Answer

“I gave you the name 涵怡 Hányí because I feel like you are actually LOVE and you are like a love and happiness spreader.

It's a little too direct to use 愛 in a name, so I looked for some characters with the 心 radical.

Then I thought of 怡.

It describes a person who is relaxed, comfortable when embraced by Mother Nature and lets others have this kind of feeling and feel joyful.

Looking at the components of 怡，心 is about feeling and love, and 台 can be a memory of your life in Taiwan.

涵 is really a beautiful character, and suits you because you want people around you have love and happiness too.

I feel that this character has a strong but silent confidence. It's strong because it is used to describe people who know a lot.

It's silent because people with this name don't show off.

Therefore they are easy-going, but if other people know them a little more, they will know that people with this character are truly something and they are truly humble too. The definition of 涵 is to contain, to immerse, just like how you want to share harmony with the people around you.

Plus, 涵 is the character you chose for yourself, so I can never tear you and 涵 apart. At least keep one 涵 for yourself!”

Question 5

Who?

Accepted Answer

Yun-Ping, University Professor

Question 6

Why?

Accepted Answer

“I used the sounds of your English name to choose your Chinese name，賈依娜 Jiǎ Yīnà.

The family name 賈 is based on the first syllable of your last name “Garbett”.

The second character, 依, is based on your middle name "Elizabeth" and the third character 娜 is from the second syllable of your first name, “Hannah”.

Question 7

Who?

Accepted Answer

Penny, LTL Teacher

Question 8

Why?

Accepted Answer

"I chose the name 貝妍熹 Bèi Yánxī for you.

貝 bèi is used in characters for wealth and money, so I hope that you will be rich in your life, it also sounds like the second half of your last name ‘Garbett’.

妍 yán means beautiful.

I think you are beautiful now and will be 40 years later, so at that time people will still ask you where you are studying!

熹 xī means bright and warm, I think you’re a warm person and you were born at midday, when it’s brightest.”

Question 9

Who?

Accepted Answer

Elrine, University Chinese Teacher

Question 10

Why?

Accepted Answer

"The name I have chosen for you is 高伊函 Gāo Yīhán.

In terms of the pronunciation of this name, I chose characters that sound uplifting. I also hope that with this name, you will flourish in the future.

I chose a name that has 24 strokes because according to 黃曆 huánglì, The Chinese Calendar, a name with 24 strokes represents 吉jí, meaning lucky.

Therefore, this name will bring you good fortune!

As for the individual names, I chose 高 based on your English surname, as the pronunciation is similar.

I chose 伊 because on one hand because its pronunciation is similar to your middle name, Elizabeth.

It also refers to the customary words used in our country to translate the name of the Queen of England!

Finally, I chose 函 as it is similar to the pronunciation of Hannah. This character also means “armor” and “tolerance”.

Question 11

Do I really need a Chinese name?

Accepted Answer

When learning Chinese, it can really help to have a Chinese version of your name, as it's easier for your new Chinese friends and colleagues to remember.

Having a Chinese name can also make you feel a lot more immersed in the language and culture.

However, this is totally up to you to decide!

Question 12

Can you help me choose a Chinese name?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

Check out our Chinese Name Generator for inspiration.

Alternatively, if you sign up to our online Flexi Classes, our LTL teachers will be more than happy to craft a name for you!

Question 13

Can I choose a name that sounds like my English name?

Accepted Answer

You can indeed!

For example, if your name is Lily, your Chinese name can be 丽丽 Lìlì.

Alternatively, if your name is Harry, you could use the name 哈利 Hālì!

Question 14

What are the five most common family names in China?

Accepted Answer

The five most common family names in China are:

1. 王 Wáng

2. 李 Lǐ

3. 张 Zhāng

4. 刘 Liú

5. 陈 Chén

Question 15

What are the most popular boy names in China?

Accepted Answer

Currently, the five most common baby boy names in China are:

1. 沐宸 Mùchén

2. 浩宇 Hàoyǔ

3. 沐辰 Mùchén (with a slightly different second character than the first Mùchén!)

4. 茗泽 Míngzé

5. 奕辰 Yìchén

Question 16

What are the most popular girl names in China?

Accepted Answer

Currently, the five most common baby girl names in China are:

1. 若汐 Ruòxī

2. 一诺 Yīnuò

3. 艺涵 Yìhán

4. 依诺 Yīnuò (with a different first character!)

5. 梓涵 Zǐhán

Question 17

How do you say 'What is your name?' in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

你叫什么名字？nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?

If you're not sure how to pronounce this sentence, take a look at our Ultimate Pinyin Guide!

Question 18

How do you say 'My name is...' in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

You can either say:

1. 我叫... wǒ jiào... (meaning 'I am' or 'I am called')

or

2. 我的名字是... wǒ de míngzì shì... (meaning 'my name is')

If you're not sure how to pronounce these sentences, take a look at our Ultimate Pinyin Guide!

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Choosing a Chinese Name Like a PRO // How I Discovered My New Name!

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Chinese Pregnancy Traditions 👶 What is ‘Sitting In’?

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