Of course, this Western name is not their given name at birth. Chinese speakers often choose a new name when they learn a different language (like English). They do so for a few different reasons: first foreigners have difficulty pronouncing Chinese names; second – some people feel Chinese names don’t sound right in other languages; third – choosing a new name for yourself in a new language is seriously fun.

What you might not realize is that this naming process should really go the other way around too! People who are learning Chinese deserve their own Chinese names, too!

What are the main differences between Chinese names and names in other languages

Chinese names differ because the the family surname is placed before the first name. It’s not difficult to guess why: Chinese people put great value in family. When greeting someone for the first time, it is always more polite to call them by their family name with “先生”(xiān shēng, sir) or “女士” (nǚ shì ,madam) attached after. It is disrespectful to call people older than you (especially your parents or relatives) by their first name in China!

Another difference between Chinese and English names is that Chinese names tend to be more unique. In England, it is quite normal to know several people called Tom, or Jessica, or Josh.  However, the Chinese language has approximately 80,000 characters, and each Chinese name usually contains 2 or 3, occasionally 4 characters. This means there are a HUGE number of potential combinations. This means it is rare—but not impossible, since some names can become quite trendy during a certain period of time–for you to know more than three people with exactly the same Chinese name.

Chinese names are also interesting because parents use them to express their expectations and wishes for their children. It may be hard for non-Chinese speakers to understand why a person may want to call him or herself the name of a fruit, flower, or plant; but it is quite common in China, as people tend to associate those items with good qualities. For example, bamboo, or 竹 (zhú), is considered a symbol of integrity and tenacity. It therefore makes a lot of sense for Chinese people to use this word to name their kids!

Why do I need a Chinese name?

Not all of your Chinese friends will pronounce your name in your native language correctly, or even remember it easily. Remember how difficult it was to remember actual Chinese names when you first started learning? It goes both ways, too. Having a Chinese name definitely makes your Chinese friends remember you better. It also means they are far more willing to talk to you as they see the effort you are making to study and fit in Chinese culture. A Chinese name will make it easier for you to introduce yourself to new Chinese friends or language partners as well.

Furthermore, Chinese people attach a lot of importance to their names. As mentioned, when Chinese parents name their children, they want to express their expectations and hopes through the name. When it comes to people from other countries who may also want a Chinese name, the name is a way to show what kind of person they want to be or what kind of thing they value most.

Therefore, having a Chinese name that expresses your personality is also a good way for others, especially your Chinese friends, to know more about you right from the start!

How do I choose my Chinese name?

-Get the right surname

Chinese people usually have a surname containing one character, so this will be the best option for you. Two-character surnames are very rare: for example, 欧阳(ōu yáng), 慕容(mù róng),  and 诸葛(zhū gě) are popular surnames of characters from Chinese novels. There is a piece of literature called 百家姓bǎi jiā xìng (A Hundred Family Surnames), in which you can find yourself a native Chinese surname. When picking a surname, the thing to focus on is how it sounds, as surnames don’t usually have much meaning attached to them.

-Being native means more than similar pronunciation

Pronunciation should be important but you should avoid a direct translation from your birth name.  This means you have to avoid having an obvious foreigner name like Mary-玛 丽  (mǎ lì) or John-约翰(yuē hàn) – you don’t want that!

-Think twice before naming yourself “Bruce Lee”

Avoid directly using the name of a celebrity or some famous movie/cartoon characters, even if you think your Chinese friends won’t know who you are. Imagine if you met a Chinese person called Michael Jackson or Britney Spears. In other words – no Jackie Chans or Bruce Lees, please!

-Look to Chinese literary tradition

If you are an intermediate Chinese speaker, try to use the characters from Chinese poems or literature, and make sure it has a good meaning by looking this up in the dictionary, or asking a native speaker to check it for you. This is actually how a lot of Chinese parents choose names for their kids.

-Avoid names that are too popular

Don’t name yourself with any frequently used Chinese names, even if they are easily remembered or with good meaning. You want to stand out, remember! For example, there are many who are named 王艳(wáng yàn) and 李明 (lǐ míng) and should be avoided. 王 and 李 themselves are “big” surnames in China, meaning that a lot of people are named Wang or Li. Though 艳(yàn, bright-colored) and 明(míng, explained below) are good words, too many Chinese people are using these kind of names at the moment, so it’s best to avoid them. Even though we have countless Chinese characters and combinations to offer, most Chinese people have met one or two “王艳”(wáng yàn) or “李明” (lǐ míng) in their lives. These kinds of names will not help you stand out!

-Get help from your native friends

This is crucial! Ask native speakers for advice and let different people check it again and again before you decide on your new name. Make sure it doesn’t sound, look, or mean something bad, but also check that it looks and sounds native – you want to be proud of your new name!

-Remember your backstory

Make sure you remember how to explain your name to others. One Chinese character may have more than 5 meanings, so it might not be obvious from the beginning. For example, 明(míng), which is frequently used in Chinese names, may be explained as “bright” , “clear”,  “intelligent”, or even something else. Even if you show your Chinese name to Chinese people, without any explanation, they may not completely understand its meaning. To put it positively, having an explanation ready for your chosen Chinese name is a great conversation starter when meeting new people!

There!  It’s as simple as that! Once you’ve found the perfect Chinese name, you’ll be able to use it whenever you are travelling in Chinese-speaking countries and when you chat with your Chinese friends. Having a Chinese name is a crucial part of your Chinese language journey!

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Actually, there is a way you can have a lesson like this – through Chinese language exchange! With a language exchange, you can find a partner who is fluent in Mandarin but wants to learn your native language. You then arrange a time to chat and help each other learn.

Language exchange is an incredible way to dive into your new language, as you will:

• Learn new words and structures that natives use
• Improve your understanding
• Learn fascinating things about Chinese cultures
• Make new friends in the most exciting parts of the world

Here are some top tips for making the most of your Mandarin language exchange!

Find the right partner

English, Japanese and Korean are the top three languages people are learning in China. If you can speak English in a good level, it will be really easy for you to find a language exchange partner. English is one of the official subjects people learn from first grade in school. Though Chinese people generally have good English writing and reading ability, they are eager to find partners to practice speaking and listening.

However, you need someone with same language level in your native language as you have in Mandarin. This is important to keep the language exchange balanced. It is also a good idea to find a partner who has similar interests or hobbies to you – though bear in mind part of the fun of language exchange is being introduced to some totally cool new interests!

Prepare beforehand

Have a think about what makes your country special – food, traditions, history. These are always interesting things to ask your partner about and compare! A great topic to talk about with a Chinese language exchange partner is food, as the Chinese are very proud of their cuisine (and rightly so!) Another popular topic are festivals and holidays. Do a bit of research before you begin your exchange so you have lots of questions for your partner.

Chinese people are generally super sensitive with political relevant topics, so these are best avoided until you know your partner better.

Set limits

Decide which language goes first and try to spend equal time with both languages. 20 minutes is a good amount to start with but you’ll need to discuss it with your partner and see what works best. Try to use only the target language when you’re speaking. For example, if your partner does not understand a word immediately, explain it to them using your own language rather than translating. It is also good to have a pen and paper to hand, so you can draw what you are talking about!

Ask your partner to speak naturally, but slowly

Not all words are in the textbooks. Getting to know the most up-to-date slang is one of the best benefits of language exchanges! It is important that your partner avoids using long, involved sentences that might confuse you, but you want to speak like a normal person, so make sure your partner does just that!

Note that when you are coming from English as a native language, it is particularly hard to learn the Chinese tones. For example, with a subtle difference, rain will be fish, bird will be pee. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner to repeat something if you find it hard to understand. Be sure that your language exchange practice is going a long way to help your pronunciation and listening skills!

Recognise cultural differences

With a language exchange, you get an insider’s view on what life is like in another country. You also find out how other people perceive your country and culture! While this is an amazing experience, it can also be challenging at times. It might seem obvious – but watch out that you don’t veer into anything that could be classed as an Asian stereotype, as you could easily upset your partner. Be patient, friendly and open.

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