Chinese Emperor Name Generator

Imperial names from Qin Shi Huang to Puyi

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Generate Chinese emperor names in every real convention: temple names like Emperor Taizong of Tang, era names like the Kangxi Emperor, posthumous names like Emperor Wu of Han, and the personal names behind them (Li Shimin, Zhu Yuanzhang). Real rulers from every dynasty plus original imperial names for fiction and games.

About Chinese emperor names

A Chinese emperor is rarely known by his birth name. Li Shimin ruled as Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Zhu Yuanzhang is remembered as the Hongwu Emperor. There are three conventions at work. The temple name (Taizu, Taizong, Gaozu, Shizong, Renzong, Huizong) was given after death and is the standard label for Tang, Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan rulers. The posthumous name (Wu, Wen, Jing, Xuan, Ling, Ai) is how Han and Jin emperors are known, as in Emperor Wu of Han. From the Ming onward each reign usually kept a single era name, so the Kangxi Emperor and the Wanli Emperor are named after their reign mottos.

The pattern of the name tells you its dynasty and its verdict. Taizu and Gaozu mean a founder; Ai, Shang and Gong usually mark a short, sad or puppet reign; era names are paired auspicious characters promising lasting peace, bright virtue or heavenly favour (Yongle, Jiajing, Qianlong). Personal names follow the ordinary surname-first rule and, within a dynasty, often share a generation character: Zhu Youjiao and Zhu Youjian were brothers.

The list covers real emperors from the legendary Yellow Emperor to Puyi in all these forms, then adds original names in each convention, including fictional dynasties such as Great Yan and Great Xia, for novels, wuxia games and alternate histories.

How to choose Chinese emperor names

  • Match the convention to the period: Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, the Kangxi Emperor. Mixing them (the Taizong Emperor) is the quickest way to sound wrong.
  • For a fictional dynasty, give the founder Taizu or Gaozu, the consolidator Taizong, and reserve names like Ai, Shang or Gong for the doomed last ruler; readers who know the pattern will feel the arc.
  • Invent an era name from two auspicious characters (Yong, Tian, Jing, Hong, Tai, De, Xiang, Ning) and check it is not already a famous reign before using it for a hero.
  • Give brothers and cousins in the same generation a shared first character in their personal names, as the Ming and Qing did; it makes a court roster feel real.
  • Mongol and Manchu rulers kept their own names (Kublai, Nurhaci, Hong Taiji) alongside Chinese temple or era names; a conquest dynasty in fiction can do the same.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the same emperor have several different names?

Because Chinese emperors carried a personal name, a temple name given after death, a posthumous name and one or more era names. Aisin Gioro Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor and Shengzu of Qing are the same man. Historians pick whichever form is conventional for that dynasty, which is why the list includes more than one form for many rulers.

Are all of these real Chinese emperors?

Most are: the list runs through every major dynasty from the legendary sovereigns and the Qin to the Qing, including regents and empresses who ruled in their own right. It also contains clearly original names built on the same conventions, including invented dynasties like Great Yan, for fiction and games.

What is the difference between a temple name and an era name?

A temple name (ending in -zu or -zong) was awarded after death for the imperial ancestral temple and is used for rulers from the Tang to the Yuan. An era name was a reign motto announced while the emperor was alive; because Ming and Qing emperors used one era for their whole reign, the era name became their name.

Can I use one of these names for a character in a wuxia or historical fantasy story?

Yes. Use the fictional-dynasty entries or build your own: pick a surname, a two-character personal name, an era name for the reign and a temple name for after the character dies. That layering is exactly what makes an imperial court in fiction feel authentic.

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All 500 Chinese emperor names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 3 names

  • Anding Emperor
  • Ayurbarwada, Emperor Renzong of Yuan
  • Ayushiridara of Northern Yuan

C: 20 names

  • Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei
  • Cao Fang
  • Cao Huan
  • Cao Mao
  • Cao Pi, Emperor Wen of Wei
  • Cao Rui, Emperor Ming of Wei
  • Cao Zhiyuan
  • Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou
  • Chai Zongxun
  • Chen Baxian, Emperor Wu of Chen

C, continued

  • Chen Shouren
  • Chen Shubao
  • Chen Zhaohan
  • Chenghua Emperor
  • Chengping Emperor
  • Chongzhen Emperor
  • Crown Prince Li Jiancheng
  • Crown Prince Liu Ju
  • Crown Prince Yinreng
  • Crown Prince Zhu Biao

D: 5 names

  • Daoguang Emperor
  • Dezhao Emperor
  • Di Xin, King Zhou of Shang
  • Duke Huan of Qi
  • Duke Wen of Jin

E: 130 names

  • Emperor Ai of Han
  • Emperor Ai of Jin
  • Emperor Ai of Tang
  • Emperor An of Han
  • Emperor An of Jin
  • Emperor Cheng of Han
  • Emperor Cheng of Jin
  • Emperor Chong of Han
  • Emperor Daizong of Tang
  • Emperor Daowu of Great Zhao
  • Emperor Dezong of Tang
  • Emperor Duanzong of Song
  • Emperor Duzong of Song
  • Emperor Gaozong of Song

E, continued

  • Emperor Gaozong of Tang
  • Emperor Gaozu of Great Xia
  • Emperor Gaozu of Han
  • Emperor Gaozu of Northern Yan
  • Emperor Gaozu of Tang
  • Emperor Gong of Jin
  • Emperor Gong of Song
  • Emperor Gong of Sui
  • Emperor Guangwu of Great Yan
  • Emperor Guangwu of Han
  • Emperor Guangzong of Song
  • Emperor He of Han
  • Emperor Huai of Jin
  • Emperor Huan of Han

E, continued

  • Emperor Hui of Han
  • Emperor Hui of Jin
  • Emperor Huizong of Song
  • Emperor Jianwen of Jin
  • Emperor Jianwen of Liang
  • Emperor Jing of Great Liang
  • Emperor Jing of Han
  • Emperor Jingzong of Tang
  • Emperor Kang of Jin
  • Emperor Ku
  • Emperor Ling of Han
  • Emperor Lizong of Song
  • Emperor Min of Jin
  • Emperor Ming of Great Zhao
  • Emperor Ming of Han

E, continued

  • Emperor Ming of Jin
  • Emperor Ming of Liu Song
  • Emperor Mingyuan of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Mingzong of Great Yan
  • Emperor Mu of Jin
  • Emperor Muzong of Tang
  • Emperor Ningzong of Song
  • Emperor Ping of Han
  • Emperor Qinzong of Song
  • Emperor Renzong of Great Wei
  • Emperor Renzong of Song
  • Emperor Ruizong of Tang
  • Emperor Shang of Han
  • Emperor Shang of Tang

E, continued

  • Emperor Shengzu of Great Chu
  • Emperor Shenzong of Song
  • Emperor Shizong of Eastern Liang
  • Emperor Shizu of Great Liang
  • Emperor Shizu of Yuan
  • Emperor Shun
  • Emperor Shun of Han
  • Emperor Shunzong of Tang
  • Emperor Suzong of Tang
  • Emperor Taizong of Great Zhao
  • Emperor Taizong of Song
  • Emperor Taizong of Tang
  • Emperor Taizu of Great Yan
  • Emperor Taizu of Song
  • Emperor Taizu of Southern Xia

E, continued

  • Emperor Wen of Chen
  • Emperor Wen of Great Yan
  • Emperor Wen of Han
  • Emperor Wen of Liu Song
  • Emperor Wen of Sui
  • Emperor Wencheng of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Wenxuan of Great Liang
  • Emperor Wenzong of Great Yue
  • Emperor Wenzong of Tang
  • Emperor Wenzong of Western Zhao
  • Emperor Wu of Great Xia
  • Emperor Wu of Han
  • Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
  • Emperor Wu of Southern Qi

E, continued

  • Emperor Wuzong of Great Qi
  • Emperor Wuzong of Tang
  • Emperor Xian of Han
  • Emperor Xianwen of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Xianzong of Great Shu
  • Emperor Xianzong of Tang
  • Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Xiaowen of Great Yan
  • Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Xiaowu of Great Xia
  • Emperor Xiaowu of Jin
  • Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song
  • Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Xiaozong of Great Jing
  • Emperor Xiaozong of Song

E, continued

  • Emperor Xizong of Tang
  • Emperor Xuan of Chen
  • Emperor Xuan of Great Chu
  • Emperor Xuan of Han
  • Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou
  • Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei
  • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
  • Emperor Yang of Sui
  • Emperor Yao
  • Emperor Yingzong of Song
  • Emperor Yizong of Tang
  • Emperor Yuan of Han
  • Emperor Yuan of Jin
  • Emperor Yuan of Liang

E, continued

  • Emperor Zhang of Han
  • Emperor Zhao of Han
  • Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
  • Emperor Zhenzong of Song
  • Emperor Zhezong of Song
  • Emperor Zhi
  • Emperor Zhi of Han
  • Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
  • Empress Dowager Ci'an
  • Empress Dowager Cixi
  • Empress Dowager Hu
  • Empress Dowager Lü Zhi
  • Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan
  • Empress Regnant Wu Zhao
  • Empress Wu of Zhou

F: 3 names

  • Fu Jian of Former Qin
  • Fulin
  • Fuxi

G: 9 names

  • Gao Wei
  • Gao Yang, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi
  • Genghis Khan
  • Gengshi Emperor
  • Guangtai Emperor
  • Guangxu Emperor
  • Guangyuan Emperor
  • Guo Wei, Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou
  • Güyük Khan

H: 16 names

  • Helian Bobo of Xia
  • Hong Taiji
  • Hong Xiuquan, Heavenly King of Taiping
  • Hongde Emperor
  • Hongguang Emperor
  • Hongji Emperor
  • Hongli
  • Hongtai Emperor

H, continued

  • Hongwu Emperor
  • Hongxi Emperor
  • Hongxiang Emperor
  • Hongyuan Emperor
  • Hongzhi Emperor
  • Huan Wen, the Would-Be Emperor
  • Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor
  • Huhai

J: 9 names

  • Jiajing Emperor
  • Jianwen Emperor
  • Jiaqing Emperor
  • Jie of Xia
  • Jingming Emperor
  • Jingrui Emperor
  • Jingtai Emperor
  • Jingxiang Emperor
  • Jingyuan Emperor

K: 22 names

  • Kaitai Emperor
  • Kangde Emperor of Manchukuo
  • Kangxi Emperor
  • King Cheng of Zhou
  • King Goujian of Yue
  • King Helü of Wu
  • King Huiwen of Qin
  • King Kang of Zhou
  • King Li of Zhou
  • King Mu of Zhou
  • King Nan of Zhou

K, continued

  • King Ping of Zhou
  • King Wen of Zhou
  • King Wu of Zhou
  • King Wuling of Zhao
  • King Xuan of Zhou
  • King You of Zhou
  • King Zhaoxiang of Qin
  • King Zhuang of Chu
  • King Zhuangxiang of Qin
  • Kublai Khan
  • Külüg Khan, Emperor Wuzong of Yuan

L: 70 names

  • Li Ang
  • Li Bian of Southern Tang
  • Li Chen, Emperor Xuānzong of Tang
  • Li Chengyuan
  • Li Chun
  • Li Congke
  • Li Cui
  • Li Cunxu, Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang
  • Li Dan
  • Li Heng
  • Li Jing of Southern Tang
  • Li Jinghong
  • Li Jiyuan
  • Li Kuo

L, continued

  • Li Longji
  • Li Renxiao, Emperor Renzong of Western Xia
  • Li Shimin
  • Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang
  • Li Song
  • Li Xian
  • Li Xiong of Cheng-Han
  • Li Xuan
  • Li Yan
  • Li Ye
  • Li Yu of Tang
  • Li Yu, Last Ruler of Southern Tang
  • Li Yuan
  • Li Yuanhao, Emperor Jingzong of Western Xia

L, continued

  • Li Zhan
  • Li Zhaolin
  • Li Zhi
  • Li Zhu
  • Li Zicheng, Yongchang Emperor of Shun
  • Liu Ao
  • Liu Bang
  • Liu Bao
  • Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han
  • Liu Bian, Emperor Shao of Han
  • Liu Bingyuan
  • Liu Changhe
  • Liu Che
  • Liu Da

L, continued

  • Liu Fuling
  • Liu Heng
  • Liu Hengyi
  • Liu Hong
  • Liu Hu
  • Liu Kan
  • Liu Qi
  • Liu Shan
  • Liu Shi
  • Liu Wenyi
  • Liu Xie
  • Liu Xin
  • Liu Xiu
  • Liu Xuan

L, continued

  • Liu Xun
  • Liu Yan of Southern Han
  • Liu Yilong
  • Liu Ying
  • Liu Yu, Emperor Wu of Liu Song
  • Liu Yuan of Han-Zhao
  • Liu Zhao
  • Liu Zhi
  • Liu Zhiyuan, Emperor Gaozu of Later Han
  • Liu Zhuang
  • Liu Ziye
  • Liu Zongxian
  • Longqing Emperor
  • Longwu Emperor

M: 9 names

  • Meng Chang of Later Shu
  • Minning
  • Möngke Khan
  • Murong Chongwei
  • Murong Chui of Later Yan
  • Murong Huang of Former Yan
  • Murong Tianxu
  • Murong Xuanyi
  • Murong Yanzhao

N: 1 name

  • Nurhaci

O: 1 name

  • Ögedei Khan

P: 8 names

  • Prince Chun Zaifeng
  • Prince Dorgon of Rui
  • Prince Gong Yixin
  • Prince Li Shimin of Qin
  • Prince Yinxiang of Yi
  • Prince Zhao Guangyi of Jin
  • Prince Zhu Di of Yan
  • Puyi

Q: 6 names

  • Qi of Xia
  • Qian Liu, King of Wuyue
  • Qianlong Emperor
  • Qin Er Shi
  • Qin Shi Huang
  • Qingning Emperor

R: 9 names

  • Retired Emperor Gaozong of Song
  • Retired Emperor Huizong of Song
  • Retired Emperor Qianlong
  • Retired Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
  • Ruihe Emperor
  • Ruining Emperor
  • Ruiyuan Emperor
  • Ruize Emperor
  • Ruzi Ying

S: 29 names

  • Shaowu Emperor
  • Shengde Emperor
  • Shengping Emperor
  • Shennong
  • Shi Chonggui
  • Shi Hu
  • Shi Jingtang, Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin
  • Shi Le of Later Zhao
  • Shidebala, Emperor Yingzong of Yuan
  • Shunzhi Emperor
  • Sima Chi
  • Sima Guanghan
  • Sima Jingyan
  • Sima Rui

S, continued

  • Sima Shao
  • Sima Yan, Emperor Wu of Jin
  • Sima Yao
  • Sima Ye
  • Sima Zhong
  • Son of Heaven Jingxiang
  • Son of Heaven Tianrui
  • Son of Heaven Yongning
  • Sun Hao
  • Sun Hongjie
  • Sun Liang
  • Sun Quan, Emperor Da of Wu
  • Sun Wenzhao
  • Sun Xiu
  • Sun Zhongmou

T: 20 names

  • Taichang Emperor
  • Taining Emperor
  • Taiyong Emperor
  • Taizhen Emperor
  • Tang of Shang
  • Temüjin
  • Temür Khan, Emperor Chengzong of Yuan
  • Tianmao Emperor
  • Tianqi Emperor
  • Tianrui Emperor

T, continued

  • Tianshun Emperor
  • Tianxiang Emperor
  • Toghon Temür, Emperor Huizong of Yuan
  • Tongzhi Emperor
  • Tugh Temür, Emperor Wenzong of Yuan
  • Tuoba Gui, Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei
  • Tuoba Hongyuan
  • Tuoba Jingyan
  • Tuoba Shiyijian
  • Tuoba Tao, Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei

W: 18 names

  • Wang Daozhen
  • Wang Jian of Former Shu
  • Wang Kuangde
  • Wang Mang of Xin
  • Wang Shenzhi of Min
  • Wang Yuanlong
  • Wang Zhengde
  • Wanli Emperor
  • Wanyan Aguda, Emperor Taizu of Jin

W, continued

  • Wanyan Jing, Emperor Zhangzong of Jin
  • Wanyan Liang, Prince of Hailing
  • Wanyan Shouxu, Emperor Aizong of Jin
  • Wanyan Wuqimai, Emperor Taizong of Jin
  • Wanyan Yong, Emperor Shizong of Jin
  • Wanyan Zongye
  • Wende Emperor
  • Wu Ding of Shang
  • Wu Zetian

X: 15 names

  • Xianfeng Emperor
  • Xiang Yu, Hegemon-King of Western Chu
  • Xiangning Emperor
  • Xianning Emperor
  • Xiao Baojuan
  • Xiao Baoyan
  • Xiao Daocheng, Emperor Gao of Southern Qi
  • Xiao Hongyi
  • Xiao Mingde
  • Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang
  • Xiao Yi
  • Xiao Zhaoran
  • Xuande Emperor
  • Xuantong Emperor
  • Xuanye

Y: 38 names

  • Yandi, the Flame Emperor
  • Yang Guang
  • Yang Jian
  • Yang Jingzhao
  • Yang Shiyuan
  • Yang Tianhao
  • Yang Yongren
  • Yang You
  • Yao Chang of Later Qin
  • Yelü Abaoji, Emperor Taizu of Liao
  • Yelü Chongxi
  • Yelü Dashi of Western Liao

Y, continued

  • Yelü Deguang, Emperor Taizong of Liao
  • Yelü Longxu, Emperor Shengzong of Liao
  • Yelü Yanxi, Emperor Tianzuo of Liao
  • Yesün Temür
  • Ying Zheng
  • Yinzhen
  • Yizhu
  • Yonghe Emperor
  • Yongle Emperor
  • Yongli Emperor
  • Yongning Emperor
  • Yongqing Emperor
  • Yongrui Emperor

Y, continued

  • Yongtai Emperor
  • Yongxing Emperor
  • Yongyan
  • Yongzheng Emperor
  • Yu the Great
  • Yuan Hong
  • Yuan Shikai, Hongxian Emperor
  • Yuwen Haoran
  • Yuwen Jue, Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou
  • Yuwen Tai
  • Yuwen Tianhe
  • Yuwen Yong
  • Yuwen Yun

Z: 59 names

  • Zaichun
  • Zaitian
  • Zhang Xianzhong of Xi
  • Zhao Bing, last emperor of Song
  • Zhao Dehui
  • Zhao Dun
  • Zhao Gou
  • Zhao Guangyi
  • Zhao Heng
  • Zhao Hongye
  • Zhao Huan
  • Zhao Ji
  • Zhao Kuangming
  • Zhao Kuangyin

Z, continued

  • Zhao Kuo
  • Zhao Qi
  • Zhao Shen
  • Zhao Shengyuan
  • Zhao Shi
  • Zhao Shu
  • Zhao Tingyu
  • Zhao Wenkuang
  • Zhao Xian
  • Zhao Xu
  • Zhao Yuanqi
  • Zhao Yun
  • Zhao Zhen
  • Zhao Ziyu
  • Zhaoming Emperor

Z, continued

  • Zhaoxiang Emperor
  • Zhengde Emperor
  • Zhengtong Emperor
  • Zhu Changluo
  • Zhu Changxi
  • Zhu Di
  • Zhu Gaochi
  • Zhu Houcong
  • Zhu Houren
  • Zhu Houzhao
  • Zhu Jianshen
  • Zhu Qiyu
  • Zhu Qizhen
  • Zhu Shoukang
  • Zhu Wen, Emperor Taizu of Later Liang

Z, continued

  • Zhu Yijun
  • Zhu Youcheng
  • Zhu Youjian
  • Zhu Youjiao
  • Zhu Youlang
  • Zhu Yousong
  • Zhu Youzhen
  • Zhu Yuanzhang
  • Zhu Yujian
  • Zhu Yunwen
  • Zhu Zaiji
  • Zhu Zaixu
  • Zhu Zhanji
  • Zhuanxu
  • Ziying of Qin