Chinese Emperor Name Generator

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.