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Chinese Names

777 names

Names most common in the JPN data for the 2010s come first.

Names

About this list

Chinese Malaysian names are written in dialect romanizations (Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and others) or pinyin. One spelling can stand for several characters, so each page shows the character options and their readings.

Chinese Malaysian names are written in the Latin alphabet by dialect pronunciation, such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Teochew, or in pinyin. Spellings are not standardised, so one character can have many spellings and one spelling can stand for several characters. That is why each page shows the character options with their readings and meanings; the actual characters are known only to the bearer’s family. A given name usually has two syllables (see Chinese name syllables), and surnames are on the Chinese surnames page. Read the guide to Malaysian Chinese names. Categories exist only to help you browse: they describe a name and its spelling, not anyone’s ethnicity, religion or background.

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Frequently asked questions

Why can one spelling stand for several characters?

Many Chinese characters sound the same or nearly the same in a dialect, and Latin spelling does not tell them apart. We list the possible characters and mark those found in real names as “attested”.

Does a spelling show someone’s dialect?

It cannot be assumed. A spelling describes how the name is written; it may be inherited across generations or chosen at registration. We do not guess dialect or background from a name.

Are Western names included?

A Western name can be written before or after the Chinese name. Our Chinese name pages show the Chinese part; names in their European or English form are listed on the Western names page. A Western name says nothing about the bearer’s religion or background.

Names are shared across communities. The categories on this site are for browsing only: they describe a name and its spelling, not anyone’s ethnicity, religion or background.