While naming a baby often involves a gap between ideal and reality, a good name ultimately leaves a positive impression. Thus, since ancient times, parents have sought beautiful names for their children, imbuing them with heartfelt blessings. Names carrying noble meanings remain ever-popular and enduring.Chinese language and culture encompass rich philosophical content. Within its vast sea of words, each character carries specific connotations. Selecting terms with positive meanings for names is a common practice.
II. The Method of Implied Meaning:
One reason modern names often seem trite is their overt, obvious nature—names like "Zhang Wei," "Wang Gang," "Jin Zhi," or "Shu Qin" are all too common, leaving little room for nuance or reflection. Where possible, readers might consider the method of implied meaning, though this requires some literary skill.
Zheng Sixiao, a poet and painter from the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, retired to Suzhou, Jiangsu after the Song's fall. His poetry expressed sorrowful longing for his lost homeland.In his plum blossom painting, he inscribed the verse: "Rather die clinging to fragrance on the branch than be blown off by northern winds," issuing a tragic cry. His name "Sixiao" signifies "remembering Zhao" (the Song dynasty), while his pen name "Suonan" reflects the Southern Song's location south of the Yangtze. He always faced south when sitting or lying down, symbolizing his unwavering loyalty to the Song court. His residence was named "Benxue Shijie" ("World of the Original Cavern"), where "Benxue" (本穴) can be rearranged to form "Dà Sòng" (大宋), the name of the Song dynasty.
Zhu Da, a Qing dynasty painter, calligrapher, and poet, was a descendant of Ming Prince Ning Zhu Quan. After the Ming dynasty's fall, he shaved his head to become a monk, adopting the name "Bada Shanren" (Eight Great Mountain Man). These four characters, written in cursive script, resemble "crying" or "laughing"—a helpless expression of both tears and laughter—concealing the artist's boundless sorrow over his fallen nation and lost home.
III. Aspiration-Based Naming Method:
When a child enters the world, parents inevitably harbor diverse hopes—for health and longevity, for prosperity, for excellence and fame, for achieving great deeds and serving the nation. Young couples welcoming a new life are filled not only with love but also fervent aspirations.The idiom "wish for one's son to become a dragon" vividly captures parents' yearning and expectations for their children. Unfulfilled aspirations from the parents' generation often demand realization through their offspring, while achievements they've attained are hoped to be inherited and expanded by the next generation. This parental mindset is frequently reflected in infant naming, making the aspiration-based naming method a widely used approach.
IV. Idealistic Naming Method:
Throughout history, countless noble-minded individuals have achieved glorious accomplishments precisely because they harbored lofty ideals.Everyone possesses their own ideals, which serve as the spiritual pillar and driving force of life. A person without ideals is like a soulless shell. Precisely for this reason, many parents imbue their children's names with their hopes and aspirations, wishing their offspring to achieve great things.
In modern China's national liberation movements, the ideals of our predecessors were often intertwined with the destiny of the nation and its people, embodying noble pursuits and lofty spirits.
V. Seasonal Naming Method:
When naming your child, you can draw inspiration from the season of their birth. This is a common folk practice that serves as a memorable way to commemorate their birthday. Well-chosen seasonal names carry a unique charm and poetic quality. Below are alternative names associated with each of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Take "Spring" as an example. Many parents favor this character in names, largely because "Spring is the foundation of the year." Spring always evokes images of vibrant life. There are two common approaches to naming with "Spring": one is to directly combine "春" with other compatible characters to form a word as the name.The other is to indirectly incorporate words associated with "spring" into the naming scheme, such as Sanchun (Three Springs), Qingyang (Green Poplar), Shaojie (Beautiful Season), Yangjie (Sunny Season), Yanyang (Bright Sun), Qingchun (Youth), and so on.
VI. Naming by Birth Month:
Parents may also name their child based on the month of birth. Each month in China has its own distinct designation, and even the same month may be called by different names. Careful observation reveals the varied meanings behind these terms.
For instance, the first month of the lunar calendar is called the First Month, also known as: First Spring, First Yang, New Year, Renewal, Third Day, First Month, Initial Month, First Yang, Opening, Early Spring, Marching Yang, etc. The second month is called Jianmao, also known as: Second Spring, Jiazhong, Bamboo Autumn, Second Yang, Auspicious Month, Flower Month, Like Month, Apricot Month, Great Strength, Same Month, etc.The third month is also called Jianchen, Jichun, Mochun, Muchun, Yingshi, Can Yue, Chen Yue, Tong Yue, Yingsun, etc. The fourth month is called Zhonglü, Yin Yue, Mai Yue, Jianyi, Mengxia, Chuxia, Weixia, Huai Yue, Maiqiu, Faye, Meiyue, etc.The fifth month is called Wuyue, also known as Bohuayue, Gaoyue, Yan Yue, Tianzhong, Xiaoxing, Zhongxia, etc.
VII. Naming Methods Using Place Names:
Using place names as names is a relatively uncommon naming method. This approach is both simple and carries inherent meaning. The place names used are often birthplaces, with names formed by combining abbreviations, synonyms, or characteristics of the birthplace with additional characters. Of course, if you were not born there but have an affinity for the place or share a connection with it, you may also use it as a name.The practice of naming after places dates back to ancient times and continues today. Many renowned scholars bear names connected to locations. For instance, the Qing dynasty calligrapher Zheng Banqiao was born in Xinghua County, Jiangsu. Yet he did not adopt "Xinghua" as his name; instead, he chose the characters "Banqiao" (板桥) from an unnamed wooden bridge spanning the county's moat.