Posted 2017/5/28
Chinese names are usually composed of two or three characters, such as Liu Bang, Li Shimin, and Zhuge Liang. While Liu, Li, and Zhuge are family names, Bang, Shimin, and Liang are given names. In ancient China, people of certain social status also had a style name besides a given name, which is called “zi”. The style name tended to explain or supplement the given name. Take Li Bai for example. Li is the family name, Bai the given name, and Taibai the style name. The modern Chinese usually have a family name and a given name, but no style name.
In China, when you first get to know someone, it is appropriate to address him with both his family name and given name. Later when you two become familiar, the given name alone is enough. In addition, you can also address someone with his family name which yet has to follow xiao (little), da (big), or lao (old), such as xiaowang (Little Wang), dachen (Big Chen), or laoli (Old Li). Nevertheless, it is not appropriate to address the seniors and those you respect in this way. Usually the family names have to precede their professions or positions.
There are a large number of family names in China. Early in the Northern Song Dynasty, someone compiled a book entitled Hundred Family Names, which included hundreds of family names commonly used in China.
There is an origin for every Chinese family name. Some derived from the name of a country, some from a place, and others from the job one was doing.
Every one has a name. The name is very important although it is no more than a symbol. This is because it embodies the expectations and love that parents lay on the child. As a result, parents will usually name their kids in a meaningful way.
