李
#2 in China
Lǐ (3rd Tone)
木 (Wood) • 7 Strokes
Plum tree — symbolizing resilience, spring blossoms, and scholarly fruitfulness.
Western Matches: Lee, Leigh, Levy, Lewis, Liam, Reed, Reeves, Riley, Kelly, Bailey
Famous bearer: Li Bai (李白), Tang Dynasty Romantic Poet
王
#1 in China
Wáng (2nd Tone)
玉/王 (Jade/King) • 4 Strokes
Monarch or noble unifier bridging heaven, humanity, and earth (represented by three horizontal strokes joined by one vertical axis).
Western Matches: Wang, Ward, Walker, Walsh, Warren, Vance, Vaughan, Wagner
Famous bearer: Wang Xizhi (王羲之), "Sage of Calligraphy"
张
#3 in China
Zhāng (1st Tone)
弓 (Bow) • 7 Strokes
To draw a bow; symbolizing expansive vision, readiness, and precision.
Western Matches: Johnson, Jones, Jackson, James, Jordan, Jenkins, Jensen, Chambers
Famous bearer: Zhang Heng (张衡), Han Dynasty Astronomer & Polymath
刘
#4 in China
Liú (2nd Tone)
刂 (Blade) • 6 Strokes
Decisive clarity and enduring heritage.
Western Matches: Lowell, Lucas, Lowe, Lloyd, Lutz, Lewin
Famous bearer: Liu Che / Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝), Architect of the Silk Road
陈
#5 in China
Chén (2nd Tone)
阝 (Mound) • 7 Strokes
To lay out with order; aged wisdom and steadfastness.
Western Matches: Chandler, Chapman, Chase, Chan, Chavez, Churchill
Famous bearer: Chen Tuan (陈抟), Revered Song Dynasty Daoist Sage
杨
#6 in China
Yáng (2nd Tone)
木 (Wood) • 7 Strokes
Poplar tree reaching straight toward the sun — upright integrity and vitality.
Western Matches: Young, Yates, York, Yoder, Yates
Famous bearer: Yang Wanli (杨万里), Song Dynasty Master Poet
苏
#41 in China
Sū (1st Tone)
艹 (Herb/Blossom) • 7 Strokes
Revival, awakening spring herbs, and literary abundance.
Western Matches: Sullivan, Sutton, Stewart, Stuart, Sumner, Sutherland, Sousa
Famous bearer: Su Shi / Su Dongpo (苏轼), Iconic Poet, Calligrapher & Gastronome
史
#63 in China
Shǐ (3rd Tone)
口 (Spoken Record) • 5 Strokes
Royal chronicler and historian — guardian of truth and impartial memory.
Western Matches: Smith, Schmidt, Smyth, Stone, Stephens, Stevens, Spencer
Famous bearer: Sima Qian / Shi Tradition, Chroniclers of Classical History
麦
#152 in China
Mài (4th Tone)
麦 (Golden Wheat) • 7 Strokes
Golden harvest wheat — abundance, nourishment, and grounded prosperity.
Western Matches: Miller, Mitchell, Myers, McDonald, McCarthy, MacLeod, Meyer
Famous bearer: Mai Mengua, Modern Classical Reformer & Scholar
马
#13 in China
Mǎ (3rd Tone)
马 (Steed) • 3 Strokes
Noble steed — swift ambition, tireless momentum, and pioneering spirit.
Western Matches: Martin, Martinez, Marshall, Mason, Morgan, Morris, Murphy, Musk, Moore
Famous bearer: Ma Yuan (马援), Eastern Han General & Statesman
林
#16 in China
Lín (2nd Tone)
木 (Double Wood) • 8 Strokes
Lush twin forest — harmony with nature, community, and evergreen growth.
Western Matches: Lindsey, Lin, Lane, Lambert, Lang, Lawrence, Lynch
Famous bearer: Lin Huiyin (林徽因), Renowned Architect & Poet
白
#73 in China
Bái (2nd Tone)
白 (Pure Light) • 5 Strokes
Luminous clarity, pure snow, and unstained sincerity.
Western Matches: Baker, Brown, Bennett, Bell, Brooks, Barnes, Butler, Burns, Black
Famous bearer: Bai Juyi (白居易), Beloved Tang Dynasty Poet
安
#79 in China
Ān (1st Tone)
宀 (Roof/Sanctuary) • 6 Strokes
Serene peace, sanctuary, and unshakeable poise.
Western Matches: Anderson, Adams, Allen, Alexander, Armstrong, Andrews, Arnold, Austin
Famous bearer: An Shigao, Pioneer Silk Road Translator
高
#19 in China
Gāo (1st Tone)
高 (Lofty Pavilion) • 10 Strokes
Elevated, noble, and far-sighted like a mountain pavilion.
Western Matches: Garcia, Green, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gray, Graham, Grant, Griffin, Gordon
Famous bearer: Gao Shi (高适), Tang Dynasty Frontier Poet
戴
#86 in China
Dài (4th Tone)
戈 (Ceremonial Halberd) • 17 Strokes
To honor, uphold, and carry with reverence.
Western Matches: Davis, Davies, Davidson, Diaz, Dixon, Douglas, Dunn, Dawson
Famous bearer: Dai Zhen (戴震), Eminent Qing Dynasty Philosopher & Linguist
文
#100 in China
Wén (2nd Tone)
文 (Literature/Culture) • 4 Strokes
Refined literature, artistry, and civil grace.
Western Matches: Williams, Wilson, Wright, White, Wood, Watson, West, Webb, Wells
Famous bearer: Wen Tianxiang (文天祥), Song Dynasty Scholar-Hero
柯
#145 in China
Kē (1st Tone)
木 (Evergreen Branch) • 9 Strokes
Sturdy jade-like branch — reliability and Upright principle.
Western Matches: King, Kennedy, Kim, Knight, Cooper, Carter, Collins, Campbell, Clark, Cook, Cole
Famous bearer: Ke Jiusi (柯九思), Yuan Dynasty Bamboo Painter & Connoisseur
唐
#25 in China
Táng (2nd Tone)
口 (Grand Hall) • 10 Strokes
Magnificent, cosmopolitan grandeur — echoing the golden age of Chinese poetry.
Western Matches: Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Turner, Torres, Tucker, Tate
Famous bearer: Tang Yin / Tang Bohu (唐寅), Ming Dynasty Painter & Poet
何
#17 in China
Hé (2nd Tone)
亻 (Humanity) • 7 Strokes
Gentle inquiry, open-minded grace, andcarrying responsibility.
Western Matches: Hall, Harris, Hill, Howard, Hughes, Hernandez, Hamilton, Harrison, Hayes, Holmes
Famous bearer: He Xiu (何休), Classical Confucian Commentator
裴
#135 in China
Péi (2nd Tone)
衣 (Flowing Robes) • 14 Strokes
Flowing scholarly robes — dignified elegance andstatesmanship.
Western Matches: Parker, Perez, Phillips, Peterson, Price, Powell, Perry, Palmer, Porter
Famous bearer: Pei Xiu (裴秀), Father of Traditional Chinese Cartography
范
#46 in China
Fàn (4th Tone)
艹 (Herb) • 8 Strokes
Exemplary model, noble standard, and public spirit.
Western Matches: Flores, Foster, Fisher, Ford, Fox, Freeman, Fleming, Ferguson
Famous bearer: Fan Zhongyan (范仲淹), Song Dynasty Statesman & Philosopher
罗
#20 in China
Luó (2nd Tone)
罒 (Silk Net) • 8 Strokes
Fine silk gauze; constellation-like breadth that gathers stars.
Western Matches: Rodriguez, Roberts, Robinson, Rivera, Ramirez, Rogers, Ross, Russell, Reynolds
Famous bearer: Luo Guanzhong (罗贯中), Author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms
欧
#138 in China
Ōu (1st Tone)
欠 (Song/Breath) • 8 Strokes
Clear melody and refined craftsmanship.
Western Matches: O'Connor, O'Brien, O'Neill, Ortiz, Owens, Oliver, Olson
Famous bearer: Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修), Song Dynasty Literary Grandmaster
夏
#55 in China
Xià (4th Tone)
夂 (Stride) • 10 Strokes
Radiant summer, grand flourishing, and classical elegance ("Huaxia").
Western Matches: Shaw, Shepherd, Sharp, Sherman, Shelton, Xavier
Famous bearer: Xia Gui (夏圭), Southern Song Landscape Painting Master
宁
#141 in China
Níng (2nd Tone)
宀 (Serene Roof) • 5 Strokes
Tranquility, inner peace, and enduring harmony.
Western Matches: Nelson, Nguyen, Nichols, Newman, Norris, Norton, Nash
Famous bearer: Ning Wuza, Celebrated Wise Minister Praised by Confucius
艾
#168 in China
Ài (4th Tone)
艹 (Mugwort Herb) • 5 Strokes
Healing mugwort herb, enduring beauty, and warmth.
Western Matches: Edwards, Evans, Ellis, Elliott, Erickson, Ibrahim, Irving
Famous bearer: Ai Qing (艾青), Modern Lyric Poet
金
#64 in China
Jīn (1st Tone)
金 (Gold) • 8 Strokes
Precious gold, autumn clarity, and incorruptible promise ("A promise worth a thousand gold").
Western Matches: Gibson, Gilbert, Gill, Giles, Zimmerman, Ziegler
Famous bearer: Jin Shengtan (金圣叹), Brilliant Ming-Qing Literary Critic