In Chinese culture, it’s common practice for parents to seek the advice of an astrologer to help find the perfect name for a baby. Astrological charts are drafted so that parents can use them as a framework to choose a name that is harmonious with the family name. By using the time of birth, an astrologer can determine which of the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth to incorporate into the name. In general, Chinese baby names consist of three characters. The family name is the first, and the remaining two are given. While some names are typically given to girls, many of them are popular for boys as well.
Additionally, the way Chinese characters are formed, like spelling, is also scrutinized. The good news is that after all of that effort, parents can rest assured that they’ve made the right naming choice. China is huge and many languages and cultures thrive in the country. The most widely spoken languages are Mandarin and Cantonese. Let’s take a look at popular baby names for girls in China and their meanings.
25. Chun
Chun is a charming given name for girls that simply means “Spring.” In China, Chun has been the tenth most popular given name to girls since 2010.
24. Ai
Ai is a name with truly wonderful meanings “love, affection, friendly, lush.” Ai isn’t just popular in China, it’s also a favorite given name in Japan where the same character is used. Japanese-American singer Ai Carina Uemura goes simply by Ai.
23. Hui
Rising Chinese actor, Zhang Hui Wen (Zhang Huiwen) has a wise name. Hui means “intelligent.”
22. Meilin
For nature lovers, Meilin would be an excellent choice because it means “beautiful forest.” Chinese-American popstar Alyssa Meilin Gray gained national attention in China after winning Beijing Television’s competition, “Art of Our Land.”
21. Qing
Figure skater Pang Qing and her partner (both on and off the ice) Tong Jian won an Olympic silver medal for pair skating in 2010. The name Qing means “blue, green, young.”
20. Huang
Huang is a popular name for girls that means “phoenix.” You’ll also see common variations that include Wong, Hwang, and Hwong.
19. Li
Olympic champion and former world record holder, Lin Li held the record for Women’s 200-meter individual medley for several years. She now coaches swimming in California. Li means “beautiful.”
18. Caihong
Caihong has a beautiful meaning “rainbow.” This popular name for girls gained international attention after it was given to a newly discovered late Jurrasic dinosaur in 2018. The duck-sized creature had iridescent feathers that gave it the appearance of rainbow colors, hence the name.
17. Yan
The name Yan means “beautiful.” Chinese sculptor, Chen Yan Yin has collaborated on many pieces that have taken her art around the world.
16. Qiuyue
Qiuyue is a gorgeous baby name for girls with a romantic meaning, “autumn moon.” Olympic gold medalist and captain of the Chinese national football team, Wei Qiuyue was a volleyball superstar until she announced her retirement in 2017 at the age of 28.
15. Ning
Actor, Ding Ning gained international acclaim for her performance in Cities of Last Things. The Tawainese artist has a name that has a very chill meaning. Ning means “peaceful.”
14. Zhen
The 19th most popular given name in China, Zhen means “precious, real, virtuous.” Zhen is also a popular family name that’s also very common. Zhen Zhen is a female giant panda who was lovingly given the name at the San Diego Zoo.
13. Meiling
Meilin means “beautiful forest” and Meiling means “beautiful spirit.” Soong Mei-ling was a prominent First Lady and political figure of the Republic of China. She became internationally respected and drew large crowds at speaking events in the US. She was on the cover of Time magazine three times.
12. Kun
Kun means “earth, female.” In Chinese mythology, Kun is a giant fish that transforms into a bird.
11. Jìngyi
Jìngyi means “quiet, gentle, joy, harmony.” Ju Jingyi rose to fame as a member of the Chinese girl group, SNH48.
10. Juan
Juan, of course, has no relation to the Spanish name. However, it’s one of the most popular names for girls in China. The name means “beautiful, graceful.”
9. Lan
Simple and sophisticated, the name Lan means “orchid, elegant.” It’s the seventh most common given name in China.
8. Fen
Min Xiao-Fen is a celebrated vocalist, pipa player, and composer known for her achievements in traditional and contemporary Chinese music. She emigrated to the US from China in 1992 and now calls New York home. The name Fen means “perfume.”
7. Nuan
Nuan is a pleasant name for girls that means “warm, friendly.” While many given names are common surnames, Nuan is rarely seen as a family name.
6. Shufen
One of the most popular names for girls in Tawain, Shufen means “good fragrance.” Sometimes the name is also seen hyphenated as “Shu-fen.”
5. Ling
The name Ling means “spirit, bell.” Chinese-American actor Bai Ling is a famous example.
4. Na
Short and sweet Na means “elegant, delicate.” Jin Na is an actor and screenwriter who won Best Script award at the Berlin International Film Festival for Apart Together.
3. Shun
The name Shun means “obey, submit.” Shun is a very common family name that’s become a popular given name for both boys and girls.
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2. Wei
Olympic gold winner, Yang Wei is a woman’s doubles badminton specialist with over 40 international titles. The name Wei means “small, fern.”
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1. Yi
Yi means “joy, ceremony.” It’s an extremely popular name for both girls and boys. Wu Xi is a retired politician who was the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China from 2003-2008. During that time, she earned the nickname “iron lady” for her abilities as a tough international negotiator.
There you go! 25 popular baby names for girls in China with beautiful meanings.
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