Chinese Mythology Name Generator

Gods, immortals and beasts of Chinese myth

Mythology & Religion500 names

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500 names from Chinese mythology in pinyin, with the familiar English name alongside where there is one. Find creators such as Pangu and Nuwa, the Jade Emperor's court, the Eight Immortals, dragon kings, Shanhaijing beasts like Bifang and Qiongqi, and the gods and demons of Journey to the West and Fengshen Yanyi.

About Chinese mythology names

Chinese mythology has no single book behind it. Its names come from layers that built up over more than two thousand years: early texts such as the Shanhaijing (the Classic of Mountains and Seas) and the Chu ci, the Daoist pantheon, Buddhist figures who arrived from India and took Chinese names, local folk cults, and two Ming dynasty novels, Journey to the West and Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods), that fixed many gods and demons in popular memory.

The names follow patterns worth knowing. Many are titles, not personal names: Dadi marks a great emperor, Tianzun a celestial worthy, Xingjun a star lord, Niangniang a goddess addressed as lady, Longwang a dragon king. Human-style names put the family name first, as in Sun Wukong or Jiang Ziya. Beasts of the Shanhaijing usually have short names of one or two syllables, such as Bifang, Zheng or Dangkang.

Everything here is written in pinyin without tone marks, and the usual English name follows where one exists, as in Yuhuang Dadi, the Jade Emperor. The list mixes creators and culture heroes, heavenly officials, household and regional gods, the Ten Kings of the underworld, dragons, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, and a smaller set of mythic places and treasures. Buddhist figures appear in their Chinese forms, such as Guanyin and Dizang.

How to choose Chinese mythology names

  • Pick the layer that fits your setting. Shanhaijing beasts such as Qiongqi and Zhuyan suit an ancient, wild world, star lords and Dadi titles suit a heavenly bureaucracy, and Journey to the West demons suit a road adventure.
  • Check a name's background before you borrow it. Mazu, Guanyin and Guan Yu have temples and living followers, so giving one of those names to a villain or a joke character can offend.
  • Remember that pinyin without tones merges different names. Fuxi the culture hero and Fuxi the dragon's son are written with different characters and tones in Chinese, so look up the characters when the difference matters to your project.
  • Use the personal name in dialogue and the title for ceremony. Nezha or Wukong works when characters talk to each other, while Yuhuang Dadi belongs in a proclamation or a temple scene.
  • For a deity of your own, borrow the structure and leave the worshipped names alone. A place or domain followed by a title such as Longwang, Xingjun or Niangniang follows the pattern of the traditional names.

Frequently asked questions

Are these names really from Chinese mythology?

The list is made of traditional names, not invented ones: figures, creatures, places and objects from early texts such as the Shanhaijing and the Chu ci, the Daoist and folk pantheon, Buddhist figures in their Chinese forms, folk legends, Journey to the West and Fengshen Yanyi. It has not been compared line by line with the original texts. Confirm a name in a reference work before you rely on a detail about it.

Why do some names have an English name after them?

Where a figure has a well-known English name, it follows the pinyin, as in Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West, or Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Lesser-known figures such as Luwu or Goumang have no settled English name, so they appear in pinyin alone.

What are the three-word names like Kang Jin Long?

They are the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the lunar lodges of Chinese astronomy, in the form Journey to the West uses for their star spirits. Each name joins the mansion, one of seven signs (sun, moon, fire, water, wood, metal, earth) and an animal. Kang Jin Long and Mao Ri Ji are two of them.

Can I use these names in a story or a game?

Storytellers have drawn on these traditional names for centuries, and novelists and game designers still do. Bear in mind that figures such as Mazu, Guanyin and Guan Yu are worshipped today, so write them with the care you would give any living religion. For a villain or a comic character, a Shanhaijing beast or a demon from Journey to the West is the safer pick.

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All 500 Chinese mythology 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: 7 names

  • Amituofo
  • Ao Bing
  • Ao Guang, Dragon King of the East Sea
  • Ao Qin, Dragon King of the South Sea
  • Ao Run, Dragon King of the West Sea
  • Ao Shun, Dragon King of the North Sea
  • Ao, the Great Sea Turtle

B: 27 names

  • Bai Suzhen
  • Bai Ze
  • Baidi, the White Emperor
  • Baigu Jing, the White Bone Demon
  • Baihu, the White Tiger
  • Bailong Ma, the White Dragon Horse
  • Bajiao Shan, the Banana-Leaf Fan
  • Bao Gong
  • Baosheng Dadi
  • Bashe
  • Beidou Xingjun
  • Beiyue Dadi
  • Bi Gan
  • Bi Shui Yu
  • Bi Yue Wu
  • Bi'an
  • Biancheng Wang
  • Bifang
  • Bingfeng
  • Bixi
  • Bixia Yuanjun
  • Bixiao
  • Bixie
  • Biyi Niao
  • Bo
  • Bo Yikao
  • Buzhou Shan

C: 25 names

  • Caishen, God of Wealth
  • Cangjie
  • Cao Guojiu
  • Chang'e
  • Changfu
  • Changsheng Dadi
  • Changxi
  • Changyou
  • Chaofeng
  • Che Gong
  • Chenghuang, the City God
  • Chenxiang
  • Chidi, the Red Emperor
  • Chiguo Tianwang
  • Chijiao Daxian
  • Chijingzi
  • Chimei
  • Chiru
  • Chisongzi
  • Chiwen
  • Chiyou
  • Chong and Li
  • Chongming Niao
  • Chujiang Wang
  • Cui Jue

D: 30 names

  • Da Siming
  • Da Yu, Yu the Great
  • Dafeng
  • Daji
  • Dangkang
  • Daoxing Tianzun
  • Dashen Bian
  • Deng Chanyu
  • Deng Tianjun
  • Di Jun
  • Di Ku
  • Di Shun, Emperor Shun
  • Di Tu He
  • Di Yao, Emperor Yao
  • Dian Mu, Mother of Lightning
  • Diguan
  • Dijiang
  • Diyong Furen
  • Dizang
  • Dong Jun
  • Donghuang Taiyi
  • Dongwanggong, King Father of the East
  • Dongyue Dadi
  • Dou Mu Xie
  • Doumu, Mother of the Dipper
  • Du Kang
  • Dujiaosi Dawang
  • Duobao Daoren
  • Duowen Tianwang
  • Dushi Wang

E: 1 name

  • Ehuang

F: 20 names

  • Fahai
  • Fang Ri Tu
  • Fangfeng
  • Fangzhang
  • Fei
  • Feilian
  • Feiyi
  • Feng Bo, Earl of Wind
  • Feng Meng
  • Fengdu
  • Fengdu Dadi
  • Fenghuang
  • Fenghuo Lun
  • Fengshen Bang
  • Fengxi
  • Fusang
  • Fuxi
  • Fuxi, Son of the Dragon
  • Fuxing, Star of Good Fortune
  • Fuzhu

G: 17 names

  • Gaoyao
  • Gonggong
  • Gouchen Dadi
  • Goumang
  • Guan Yu, Lord Guan
  • Guangchengzi
  • Guanghan Gong, the Moon Palace
  • Guangmu Tianwang
  • Guanguan
  • Guangze Zunwang
  • Guanyin
  • Gudiao
  • Gui Jin Yang
  • Guiche
  • Guiling Shengmu
  • Guixu
  • Gun, Father of Yu the Great

H: 38 names

  • Han Xiangzi
  • Hanshan
  • He Xiangu
  • Hebo, Lord of the River
  • Heibai Wuchang
  • Heidi, the Black Emperor
  • Heixiong Jing
  • Heluo Yu
  • Hetu
  • Hong Hai'er, the Red Boy
  • Hongjun Laozu
  • Hongsheng
  • Hou
  • Houji, Lord Millet
  • Houtu
  • Houyi, the Archer
  • Hu Ximei
  • Huaguang Dadi
  • Huaguo Shan, Mountain of Flowers and Fruit
  • Huan
  • Huang Daxian
  • Huang Feihu
  • Huang Tianhua
  • Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor
  • Huangfeng Guai
  • Huanglong Zhenren
  • Huanglong, the Yellow Dragon
  • Huangmei Dawang
  • Huangquan, the Yellow Springs
  • Huashe
  • Huaxu
  • Huli Daxian
  • Huli Jing
  • Hundun
  • Hunshi Mowang
  • Huntian Ling
  • Huode Xingjun
  • Huoyan Shan, the Flaming Mountains

J: 32 names

  • Ji Gong
  • Ji Shui Bao
  • Jiang Ziya
  • Jianmu
  • Jiao Mowang
  • Jiao Mu Jiao
  • Jiaolong
  • Jiaoren
  • Jiaotu
  • Jieyin Daoren
  • Jiliang
  • Jin Chan
  • Jinchi Dapeng Diao
  • Jing Mu An
  • Jinghe Longwang
  • Jingwei
  • Jinhua Furen
  • Jinjiao Dawang
  • Jinling Shengmu
  • Jinwu, the Golden Crow
  • Jinzha
  • Jiuchi Dingpa
  • Jiuding, the Nine Tripods
  • Jiufeng
  • Jiuling Yuansheng
  • Jiutian Xuannu
  • Jiutou Chong
  • Jiuweihu, the Nine-Tailed Fox
  • Jiuying
  • Ju Liusun
  • Juling Shen
  • Jumen

K: 11 names

  • Kaiming Shou
  • Kaizhang Shengwang
  • Kang Jin Long
  • Kong Xuan
  • Kuafu
  • Kui Mu Lang
  • Kui, the Music Master
  • Kuiniu
  • Kuixing
  • Kun
  • Kunlun

L: 43 names

  • Lan Caihe
  • Lei
  • Lei Gong, Duke of Thunder
  • Leisheng Puhua Tianzun
  • Leizhenzi
  • Leizu
  • Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King
  • Li Tieguai
  • Lianzhen
  • Lingbao Dafashi
  • Lingbao Tianzun
  • Linggan Dawang
  • Lingji Pusa
  • Linglun
  • Lingui
  • Lingxiao Baodian
  • Linshui Furen
  • Lishan Laomu
  • Liu Hai
  • Liu Tu Zhang
  • Liu'er Mihou, the Six-Eared Macaque

L, continued

  • Liuding Liujia
  • Long Mu, Mother of Dragons
  • Longgong, the Dragon Palace
  • Longma
  • Longnu
  • Longxu Hu
  • Lou Jin Gou
  • Lu Ban
  • Lu Dongbin
  • Lu Ya Daoren
  • Lu Yue
  • Luan
  • Lucun
  • Luduan
  • Luli Daxian
  • Luo Xuan
  • Luocha
  • Luoshen, Goddess of the Luo River
  • Luoshu
  • Lushu
  • Luwu
  • Luxing, Star of Prosperity

M: 17 names

  • Magu
  • Mamian, Horse-Face
  • Mao Ri Ji
  • Matou Niang, the Horse-Head Maiden
  • Mazu
  • Meng Po
  • Mihou Wang
  • Mile Fo
  • Mingshe
  • Mingyue
  • Mo Lihai
  • Mo Lihong
  • Mo Liqing
  • Mo Lishou
  • Momu
  • Mulian
  • Muzha

N: 17 names

  • Naihe Qiao
  • Nandou Xingjun
  • Nantianmen, the Southern Heavenly Gate
  • Nanyue Dadi
  • Nezha
  • Nian
  • Niu Jin Niu
  • Niu Mowang, the Bull Demon King
  • Niulang, the Cowherd
  • Niutou, Ox-Head
  • Nongyu
  • Nu Tu Fu
  • Nuba
  • Nuchou
  • Nujiao of Tushan
  • Nuwa
  • Nuying

P: 14 names

  • Pangu
  • Panguan
  • Panlong
  • Peng
  • Peng Mowang
  • Penglai
  • Pengzu
  • Pilanpo
  • Pingdeng Wang
  • Pixiu
  • Pojun
  • Pulao
  • Puti Zushi
  • Puxian

Q: 22 names

  • Qi Xiannu, the Seven Fairies
  • Qiangliang
  • Qiankun Quan
  • Qianliyan
  • Qilin
  • Qin Qiong
  • Qingdi, the Azure Emperor
  • Qingfeng
  • Qinglong, the Azure Dragon
  • Qingniao
  • Qingnu
  • Qingqiu
  • Qingshui Zushi
  • Qinguang Wang
  • Qingxu Daode Zhenjun
  • Qinyuan
  • Qiongqi
  • Qiongxiao
  • Qiulong
  • Qiuniu
  • Qixing Niangniang
  • Queqiao, the Magpie Bridge

R: 9 names

  • Randeng Daoren
  • Ranyi Yu
  • Renshenguo
  • Renyu
  • Riyou Shen
  • Rulai Fo
  • Rushou
  • Ruyi Jingu Bang
  • Ruyi Zhenxian

S: 32 names

  • Sai Taisui
  • Sanshan Guowang
  • Sanshengmu
  • Sha Wujing
  • Shan Gui
  • Shancai Tongzi
  • Shangyang
  • Shanhui
  • Shanxiao
  • Shao Siming
  • Shaohao
  • Shen Gongbao
  • Shen Shui Yuan
  • Shenlong
  • Shennong, the Divine Farmer
  • Shentu
  • Shi Huo Zhu
  • Shide
  • Shiji Niangniang
  • Shouxing, Star of Longevity
  • Shu and Hu
  • Shuiguan
  • Shuilian Dong, the Water Curtain Cave
  • Shuixian Zunwang
  • Shunfeng'er
  • Sibuxiang
  • Sizhi Gongcao
  • Songdi Wang
  • Suanni
  • Suiren
  • Sun Wukong, the Monkey King
  • Sunu, the Plain Maiden

T: 29 names

  • Taibai Jinxing
  • Taishan Wang
  • Taishang Laojun
  • Taisui
  • Taiyang Xingjun
  • Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun
  • Taiyi Zhenren
  • Taiyin Xingjun
  • Tan Gong
  • Tang Sanzang
  • Tanlang
  • Tao Tianjun
  • Taotie
  • Taowu
  • Tengshe
  • Tiandu Yuanshuai
  • Tiangou, the Heavenly Dog
  • Tianguan
  • Tianhe, the Heavenly River
  • Tianlong
  • Tianlu
  • Tianma
  • Tianwu
  • Tieshan Gongzhu, Princess Iron Fan
  • Tongtian Jiaozhu
  • Tudi Gong, the Earth God
  • Tudi Po
  • Tuolong
  • Tuxingsun

W: 22 names

  • Wang Guiren
  • Wang Lingguan
  • Wangliang
  • Wangzi Qiao
  • Wansheng Longwang
  • Wei Huo Hu
  • Wei Tu Zhi
  • Wei Yue Yan
  • Weituo
  • Wen Zhong
  • Wenchang Dijun
  • Wenqu
  • Wenshu
  • Wenyao Yu
  • Wu Gang
  • Wudang Shengmu
  • Wufang Jiedi
  • Wufu Qiansui
  • Wuguan Wang
  • Wuqu
  • Wutong Shen
  • Wuzhiqi

X: 22 names

  • Xiang Furen
  • Xiang Jun
  • Xiangliu
  • Xiao Shi
  • Xiao Zuanfeng
  • Xiaoqing
  • Xiaotian Quan
  • Xiezhi
  • Xiezi Jing
  • Xihe
  • Xin Tianjun
  • Xin Yue Hu
  • Xing Ri Ma
  • Xingtian
  • Xingxing
  • Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West
  • Xiyue Dadi
  • Xu Ri Shu
  • Xuangui
  • Xuanming
  • Xuanwu, the Black Tortoise
  • Xuanyuan Jian

Y: 33 names

  • Yang Jian, Erlang Shen
  • Yangli Daxian
  • Yanluo Wang, King Yama
  • Yaochi, the Jade Pool
  • Yaoji
  • Yaoshi Fo, the Medicine Buddha
  • Yayu
  • Yazi
  • Yecha
  • Yeyou Shen
  • Yi Huo She
  • Yin Jiao
  • Yinglong
  • Yingzhao
  • Yingzhou
  • Yinjiao Dawang
  • Youchao
  • Yu Shi, Master of Rain
  • Yuan Hong
  • Yuanshi Tianzun
  • Yuchi Gong
  • Yuding Zhenren
  • Yue Lao, the Old Man Under the Moon
  • Yuhuang Dadi, the Jade Emperor
  • Yulei
  • Yumian Gongzhu
  • Yunxiao
  • Yunzhong Jun
  • Yunzhongzi
  • Yuqiang
  • Yurong Wang
  • Yutu, the Jade Rabbit
  • Yuyi Xian

Z: 32 names

  • Zao Jun, the Kitchen God
  • Zaochi
  • Zengzhang Tianwang
  • Zhang Daoling
  • Zhang Guolao
  • Zhang Tianjun
  • Zhang Yue Lu
  • Zhao Gongming
  • Zhen Shui Yin
  • Zheng
  • Zhenwu, the Perfected Warrior
  • Zhenyuan Daxian
  • Zhinu, the Weaver Girl
  • Zhizhu Jing
  • Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller
  • Zhongli Quan
  • Zhongyue Dadi
  • Zhu Bajie
  • Zhuanlun Wang
  • Zhuanxu
  • Zhuhuai
  • Zhujian
  • Zhulong, the Torch Dragon
  • Zhunti Daoren
  • Zhuque, the Vermilion Bird
  • Zhurong
  • Zhusheng Niangniang
  • Zhuyan
  • Zi Huo Hou
  • Zigu
  • Ziwei Dadi
  • Zouyu