Table of Contents
Why do so many Chinese have English names?
Chinese may adopt English names for a variety of reasons, including foreigners’ difficulty with Chinese tones and better integration of people working in foreign enterprises. Established English names chosen by Chinese may also be those rarely used by native English speakers.
How do Chinese choose their last names?
Choosing a common Chinese last name will ensure your Chinese name is readily identifiable as a personal name, as Chinese names are structured with the last name first. For example, if your last name is Johnson, the very common surname 张 (Zhāng) might suit you. Similarly, 孙 (Sūn) could also reflect the “son” in Johnson.
Who chooses Chinese name?
The first character (or first two) is your family name or surname. The next character could be decided by your generation in the family. There would be a family pattern that is followed that according to the characters in a sentence in a poem chosen by your ancestor. The last character is decided by your parents.
Why do Chinese people have so many different names?
Chinese names are unique, and sometimes a little odd sounding to a foreigner. This is why Chinese people often have both a Chinese name and an English name. They will choose their English name themselves, or have it chosen for them at school.
How do you get a Chinese last name?
First of all, when Chinese people say their name, first they say the Family name, then Given name so if we take Jackie Chan (Chéng Lóng) as an example – Cheng is his last name, Long is given a name. Basically flip your name backwards and you have the structure of a Chinese name.
Can Chinese names be translated into English?
Most Chinese characters have a meaning that can be translated into English, but Chinese names are often not fully translatable. Traditionally, parents would consult an astrologer to suggest a good name for their baby. Astrological charts determine which of the five elements (gold, wood, water, fire, and earth) are associated with the time of birth.
Is it awkward to have the same name as someone in China?
While Westerners may see it as a happy coincidence that a stranger at a bar has the same name as them, in China this is more likely to cause awkwardness.