Meanings in a Chinese Name

Unlike in a Western name , the family name in a Chinese name comes before the first name. There are also meanings in a Chinese name.

The meanings in a Chinese name are reflected in the combination of the characters, which  are influenced either by elements of culture or era. Usually the cultural influence is stronger in the characters for family names . Any character that has the particle that  means "woman" suggests its traces back to the matriarchal society. Some family names originated either in official titles or occupation or in animals of worship. A few other come from numbers.