Why you need a Chinese name

The first thing to keep in mind is the fundamental difference between Chinese and Western names. Chinese names place the surname first and the given name last which is the opposite way to Western names. There has been a lot of speculation as to why this is. One possible reason is that the order is an indication of the different cultural values. The Chinese, for example, hold respect for their ancestors and thus put the family name first. Western culture on the other hand is seen to be more individualistic, hence the given name coming first.

Secondly it is important to realise that Chinese given names generally have meanings beyond their values as names per se. For example ‘Jian’ is used to suggest strength and perseverance. Another common method of choosing a name is to base your child’s name on a hero. In this case children are often given names of hero’s their parents admire. Other Chinese names are picked for their rarity or uniqueness so their child can stand out from others.

Bearing all of this in mind you can see how complicated it is for a Chinese name to be picked. The same level of detail and analysis will also go into choosing a Chinese name for you. The name has to have meaning and flavour as it will be seen as an indication of your character and personality.

A foreign name is usually translated into Chinese with characters that sound similar to your English name but also rich in meaning. Each Chinese character is carefully chosen to suggest the right association to create the right impression in China. A good Chinese name therefore will not only sound good but will also be rich in meaning.

A good Chinese name is important for many reasons but two immediate and positive outcomes can be observed. Firstly you help Chinese associates remember your name. It helps Chinese business associates save face, if they don’t know how to pronounce your name in English, they can always use your Chinese name. Most importantly however it also shows you are passionate and excited about not only doing business in China but learning about the Chinese culture.

It is important to keep in mind though that picking a Chinese name is a specialised job and picking the right name is not always an easy task. However once the name is right it will act as a powerful business tool in building relationships with your Chinese colleagues.

Another point to remember is that picking a personal name is entirely different from picking a name for your business. The latter requires a great deal more deliberation and time as copright and IPR issues etc may apply.

“So as the Chinese proverb goes ‘Talk doesn’t cook rice’ - merely thinking about getting a Chinese name does nothing for you so to get your own Chinese name contact us now.

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