Getting a Chinese name?

Right so I've been studing Mandarin for the past couple of months on a casual level but lately I've been thinking, the more I work with it - the more I want to study abroad some day and possibly even move to the Mainland one day. This brings me to the question of "what makes a chinese name?"

I've never liked my given english name and tend to use nicknames instead whenever possible. That got me thinking. Why not get a chinese name that I actually like and would most likely use in the future instead of my english name。

So instead of making up a name that would probably end up meaning something completely silly and unintended I was thinking that someone here versed in Chinese might be willing to help me out? Wub

I'm not sure on how exactly to decide on one. I tried some online name generators that were based on the pronounciation of ones English name and character traits. Is this the way to do it? Ask friends and family what they think my best traits are and then go from there? Unsure

Anyway, any assistance is very much appreciated Smile

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Geez i was thinking about it too .. i need a Korean or Japanese name Sad

anyone able to help me? ^^

thnx

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Try this one:
http://www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:30 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I know a websit where we can make our name in chinese
You want that no ?
(if you don't understand say me my english is very bad)
http://www.chine-nouvelle.com/ you can chose the language

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Chinese names are a little different. First of all, they are usually 2 characters. Siblings of the same sex usually have the first character in common and the second character is different. From what I can tell (I'm 4th generation in the US and can't speak any Cantonese or Mandarin to save my life) names seem pretty random. It doesn't seem like western names where there a lot of common names and the names don't really have to have a meaning. For example, my sister name translates to little Jasmine I believe, but my brothers ans mine don't really mean anything by itself, but does when when you put both of ours together, this is what my grandmother told me atleast. Obviously there are still some popular names, but it seems far less common than in with western names. I could be totally wrong about this so anyone can be feel free to correct me.

The people or apps etc, that "convert" you name in to Chinese simply take the closest pronunciation of your name converted in to Chinese characters.

@MsDeath: I'm not sure about Korean, but in Japanese foreign names can be converted in to Japanese. There are 2 alphabets Japanese use, hiragana for domestic words and katakana for foreign words. For example, my name is written マット, matto, in Japanese. Still same name, but slightly different pronunciation and it's written in Japanese alphabet.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

okay if ur a girl, then SAKURA.

if you're a guy, then HANZO.

looooool hehe how about if u chose a name of your favourtie character from your favourite anime or drama?

THAT would be cool!!]

imagine being called Uchicha Sasuke or Aizawa Miyabi...

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I'll help Korean ones if anyone wants. Tongue

Also, since until while ago, Koreans used Hanja (modified Chinese), so my name is based on Chinese characters. ^^ I just don't remember how to write it anymore.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:14 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:35 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

^ Definitely true.