The Evolution of Chinese Naming Trends

Popular Chinese names have shifted dramatically over the decades, mirroring the cultural and social trends of each era

Just as traditional Western names like John and Mary were once widely used, certain names have dominated in China during specific eras. More than 3 million people are named Wei (伟), meaning “great,” most of whom were born during the early reform and opening up period. Seeing such names as outdated, today’s parents seek fresh inspiration and new aspirations for their newborns—yet many end up making similar choices, leading to new waves of popular names in each generation.

Read more about naming trends in China and what they reveal about changing times through the link here.