Chinese Names

Name introduced here via Chinese cinema, has middle-place potential.

This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.

Lin is a concise, versatile name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Chinese culture, it's a common surname and given name meaning 'forest' or 'jade' depending on the character used. In Welsh traditions, Lin represents 'lake' or 'waterfall,' while in Scandinavian contexts, it means 'lime tree' or 'gentle.' As a feminine given name in Western cultures, Lin often serves as a diminutive for names like Linda, Linette, or Caroline. Its simplicity and cross-cultural appeal have made it increasingly popular in an interconnected world. The name's brevity carries elegance and strength, making it practical across languages and cultures while still feeling distinctive. Lin's versatility allows it to convey both natural beauty and refined simplicity.

A common Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean unisex name, and the name of a culturally rich Chinese Dynastic period. Yao Ming is the seven and a half foot Shanghai-born basketball star. Trivia tidbit: His parents were the tallest couple in China at the time of his birth.

This charming mini name began life as a nickname for Rodrigo but has since taken on a life of its own, ranking as an independent name in Portugal, it’s country of origin. If you’re looking to honor a Rodrigo, Roger, or Roderick in your life, Rui is an appealing international option. Ruy is a spelling variation that is more commonly seen in Spain.

Si is an intriguing feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Chinese, Si (pronounced 'see') can represent various characters meaning 'silk,' 'thinking,' or 'four,' depending on the tone and written character. As a Western name, Si might function as a minimalist, modern nickname for longer names like Sienna, Silvia, or Simone. This ultra-short name reflects the contemporary trend toward brief, impactful names that work across languages. In some cultures, Si can mean 'yes,' suggesting an affirmative, positive nature. While uncommon as a standalone name, Si's simplicity gives it a distinctive quality in an era of lengthier names, offering a blank canvas for the bearer's personality while being easy to pronounce across cultural boundaries.

It may only be two letters long, but Su has substance and meaning. It can be a fresh spelling for the classic Sue, a Turkish name meaning "water", and a unisex Chinese name meaning "simple" or "respectable".

Tai, which rhymes with Kai, is a unisex name with a range of international references. It means the equivalent of "too much" in Chinese but is also used as a Maori name meaning "the tide" and in Romanian means "yours." While it's only ever ranked in the U.S. Top 1000 as a girls' name, during the height of the popularity of Olympic skater Tai Babilonia, Tai makes a simple intriguing modern choice for either gender.