Chinese Baby Names

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Chinese Baby Names
7
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 10:39pm
Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone out there would have any info for me on where to find Chinese baby names. My husband is Chinese Canadian and we want to give our baby a Chinese middle name. I've been finding it hard to find any good books or websites. I ordered a book called "Choosing Auspicious Chinese Names", but it's not something I was really looking for. I'm a bit dissappointed with it. My In Laws of course will help us pick a name, but I don't want to rely solely on them to choose a name for our child. So if anyone out there has any ideas or can recommend anything to me, I'd greatly appreciate it! :) Thanks!!!!

~Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2004
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 10:57pm
Boachi (Bow-Chee) is one of my adorable nieces middle names. She was adopted from China and Boachi was her original name. Its meaning is wonderful but I can't remember it.

I found a chinese naming site where you put in an english name and it gives you a Chinese name that corresponds to it (sort of). It also provides meanings. Check it out, if nothing else it is at least neat. http://www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html


Here is some naming recommendations....

http://www.pshrink.com/chinadopt/NameYourBaby.html


Here's a website I found that lists names. You'll have to be careful though. I don't know how reliable this site is. Your DH's parents will be helpful verifying names you lean towards. http://www.20000-names.com/female_chinese_names.htm

Peggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 11:02pm
Thanks. I actually saw the second link. He reccommended a couple of books but they're both out of print. The one I wanted to buy is selling for forty dollars (minimum) on amazon.com. :( Maybe I'll give in and buy one...but that's American money and so it's much more expensive in Canadian dollars, lol!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 11:16pm

I really like http://www.behindthename.com for finding names with specific ethnic backgrounds. You can find your Chinese names here: http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/chi.html


Good luck finding the right one for your baby!


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 11:25pm
Thanks, I checked it out. Everyone here is so helpful! The thing is, most Chinese names consist of two names. Like Kai Man, Cheuk Man, Soo Lin, Lei Lin. All the sites I find list just one name and I don't really know how to put the two together. I don't know if there actually is a book or website out there that I'm looking for. The book I bought tells me how to put two names together but it's a bit confusing. I don't want to put two names together and end up making a bad name lol! The more I try to find books and sites on the subject, the more I'm realizing I'm going to have to rely heavily on my in laws.
Avatar for amykrisb
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Thu, 09-09-2004 - 11:48pm
Hi Kelly!

I've also been looking at Chinese baby name sites because we are adopting from China. We might use the child's original name for a middle name, but I'm looking for a backup in case I decide I'd like to use a different one.

I found Mei Zhen on one of the sites. I like that one. I did some more web research and there seems to be a someone famous in China (model? actress? singer?) with that name, so I am assuming it is a real name. I understand where you're coming from when you said you don't just want to put two names together--I read that if you pick the wrong combination, you might accidentally name your child something that means "tarnished spoon" or something like that! That would be embarrassing for the child if she spends any time in China later.

I've only been looking at girls' names since there is a 95% chance our referral will be a girl.

Good luck and I hope you find something good!

--Amy
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 12:06pm
Amy- That's so wonderful that you're adopting from China. One of my good friends was adopted from Korea when she was really young. They gave her a new name but she still has paperwork and knows her given name in Korea. My husband works with a couple who went to China and adopted a child. They were so pleased that they're going to do it again! Are you going to go to China to pick up your baby?

~Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2004
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 6:22pm

I knew a couple that used this site to help find a name for their baby.

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