Hokkien Name Generator
Hokkien names in Southeast Asian and Taiwanese spellings
Generate Hokkien names the way Hokkien speakers say and spell them: surname first, as in Tan, Lim, Ong and Khoo, with two-syllable given names such as Beng Huat, Kim Seng and Geok Choo, in the spellings of Singapore, Penang, Indonesia (Oei, Liem, Tjoa), the Philippines (Sy, Go, Co, Uy) and Taiwan.
About Hokkien names
Hokkien is the Southern Min Chinese of southern Fujian, carried overseas to Taiwan and across Southeast Asia. A Hokkien name uses the same characters as any Chinese name, read in Hokkien and spelled by ear in Latin letters, by the habits of each country. The surname comes first and the given name follows as two separate syllables: Tan Lip Huat, Khoo Poh Huay.
Place decides the spelling. Singapore and Malaysia write Tan, Lim, Ong, Goh, Chua, Koh and Khoo, and Penang prefers Ooi, Khor, Teoh, Yeoh and Cheah with given syllables like Teik, Keat, Gaik and Phaik. Indonesia keeps Dutch-era forms such as Oei, Liem, Tjoa and Kwee, and older women's names there often end in Nio. The Philippines has Sy, Go, Co, Uy, Dy, Que and Cua, and some families fused a whole name into one surname, as in Cojuangco. The Taiwanese entries follow the romanization called Peh-oe-ji, written here without its tone marks, so Chhoa and Khu stand where Singapore has Chua and Khoo.
Several spellings are not Hokkien alone: Tan, Lim, Ng, Teo, Sim and Low are shared with Teochew, a sister language. Siblings often share one syllable of the given name, the generation name, so the list includes pairs such as Ooi Kok Teik & Ooi Kok Kee.
How to choose Hokkien names
- Keep one spelling system inside a family. A Penang household is Ooi, Teik and Gaik; an Indonesian one of the same surname is Oei with Tjoen, Sioe or Nio; a Manila one is Uy. Mixing them in one name reads as a mistake.
- Give siblings a generation name. Brothers or sisters share the first syllable of the given name, as in Gan Kian Kiat & Gan Kian Hoe, and cousins on the father's side often share it too.
- Match the name to the birth year. Full dialect names like these suit characters born before about 1980. In Singapore especially, younger people often keep the Hokkien surname but have a given name in Mandarin pinyin.
- Ah in front of one syllable is a household form, as in Ah Huat or Ah Hoon. It suits a parent, a hawker or a childhood nickname better than a business card.
- Search a full name before you publish it. The pool of syllables is small, and many combinations belong to real people, public figures among them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hokkien name?
It is a Chinese name pronounced and spelled in Hokkien instead of Mandarin. The characters are the same, but the sound changes: Tan is the surname Mandarin reads as Chen, Lim is Lin, Ong is Wang, Goh is Wu, Chua is Cai and Khoo is Qiu. Given names change in the same way, so a list in pinyin and a list in Hokkien look nothing alike.
Why does one Hokkien surname have so many spellings?
Because each country wrote it down by its own rules. Ng and Wee in Singapore, Ooi in Penang, Oei in Indonesia and Uy in the Philippines are one surname, Huang in Mandarin. Koh, Khor, Kho and Co are another, and Teo, Teoh, Thio and Tiu a third. All of these spellings are in the list.
Can this generator turn my own name into Hokkien?
No. It is a fixed list of names, not a converter. The Hokkien reading of a name depends on its Chinese characters, and many characters have more than one reading, so ask a Hokkien speaker or look the characters up in a Hokkien dictionary.
Do these names belong to real people?
The list combines surnames and given-name syllables that Hokkien speakers use. It is not taken from any register, and no combination is meant to point to a particular person. With a pool this small a match with a real person can happen by chance.
Related generators
Singaporean Name Generator
Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian Singaporean names
Malaysian Name Generator
Authentic Malay, Chinese, Indian and Bornean Malaysian names
Taiwanese Name Generator
Real Taiwanese names in Wade-Giles with characters
Cantonese Name Generator
Realistic Cantonese names with traditional characters
Chinese Last Name Generator
Real Chinese surnames with characters and meanings
Chinese Name Generator
Authentic Chinese names with pinyin and characters
Chinese American Name Generator
Realistic names for Chinese American characters
Filipino Name Generator
Realistic Filipino names, Spanish surnames to Tagalog roots
More like this
Ancient Chinese Name Generator
Historical names from the Zhou to the Song dynasty
Chinese Clan Name Generator
Surname-led great families for wuxia and historical fiction
Chinese Courtesy Name Generator
Classical zi (字) paired with given names
Chinese Dynasty Name Generator
Dynasty and state names from Xia to Qing, plus originals
Chinese Emperor Name Generator
Imperial names from Qin Shi Huang to Puyi
Chinese Female Name Generator
Authentic Chinese women's names, surname first
All 500 Hokkien names
A: 10 names
- Ah Hoon
- Ah Huat
- Ang Chin-chai
- Ang Chwee Hwee
- Ang Guat Lian
- Ang Le-hoa
- Ang Thiam Poh
- Ang Wee Meng
- Auw Kiem Lian
- Auw Tjwan Gwan
B: 8 names
- Be Ek Lian
- Be Swan Hwa
- Bee Lian
- Beh Cheng Kooi
- Beh Guan Khoon
- Beh Swee Heng & Beh Swee Thye
- Beng Huat
- Boon Hock
C: 61 names
- Ch'ng Boon Beng
- Ch'ng Choon Poh
- Ch'ng Geok Guat
- Chan Kim-hok
- Cheah Bee Hoon
- Cheah Eng Heng
- Cheah Lay Kim
- Cheah Lean Hoe
- Cheah Lean Kheng
- Cheah Siok Lay
- Chew Ah Hoon
- Chew Bee Hwa
- Chew Gim Luan
- Chew Hong Chai
- Chew Kah Eng
- Chew Kay Ann
- Chew Kee San
- Chew Lian Chin
- Chew Peck Suan
- Chhoa Siok-cheng
- Chhoa Siu-hong
- Chia Cheng Kuan
- Chia Eng Tee & Chia Eng Tin
- Chia Gim Hoon
- Chia Kah Sing
- Chia Kok Chye
- Chia Lian Neo
- Chia Sin Kiong
- Chia Swee Bwee
- Chia Teck Hee
C, continued
- Chin Chye
- Chiong Bee Kuan
- Chiong Siu Chu
- Chiu Beng-tek
- Chng Ban Lai
- Chng Chwee Hai & Chng Chwee Hin
- Chng Hong Tin
- Chng Poh Khim
- Chng Seng Choon
- Chng Siok-hui
- Chua Ah Gek
- Chua Ban Koon
- Chua Boon Peng & Chua Boon Kiong
- Chua Cheng Khoon
- Chua Choon Khim
- Chua Chwee Hoe
- Chua Kwee Kiaw
- Chua Lay Hiang
- Chua Teck Yam
- Chuah Boon Kooi
- Chuah Hooi Looi
- Chuah Kim Gaik
- Chuah Soon Beng & Chuah Soon Leng
- Chuah Teik Chuan & Chuah Teik Hooi
- Chuah Thean Leng
- Co Keng Seng
- Co Siok Tin
- Cojuangco
- Cu Siong Tek
- Cua Hian Kian
- Cua Kim Hua
D: 5 names
- Dee Siu Giok
- Dizon
- Dy Beng Leng
- Dy Kim Kiat
- Dy Siok Kim
E: 5 names
- Ee Keng Meng
- Ee Lay Neo & Ee Lay Hong
- Ee Say Seng
- Ee Siok Lan
- Ee Tong Swee
G: 28 names
- Gan Bun-hiong
- Gan Cheng Yong
- Gan Choon Tiong
- Gan Gek Hwa
- Gan Kian Kiat & Gan Kian Hoe
- Gan Siok Bwee
- Gaw Sui Ha
- Geok Choo
- Go Bun Hong
- Go Kiem Bie
- Go Sioe Nio
- Go Tiong Pin
- Goh Choon Sim
- Goh Gim Hiang
- Goh Peck Im
- Goh Seng Ann
- Goh Soon Choon
- Goh Thiam Watt
- Goh Tiong Ho
- Gokongwei
- Gooi Guat Hwa & Gooi Guat Tin
- Gooi Keat Chai
- Gooi Kheng Poh
- Gooi Kim Ean
- Gotianun
- Gouw Hong Hiang
- Gouw Tjeng Tat
- Guat Hoon
H: 5 names
- Han Hian Hoat
- Han Pek Nio
- Ho A-chu
- Ho Kim-liong
- Hock Seng
I: 2 names
- Iap Chong-hian
- Iap Kim-lian
K: 64 names
- Kan Bun-chhiong
- Kan Chhun-kiau
- Kang Bee Neo
- Kang Kah Hock
- Kang Keng Guan
- Kang Kian-seng
- Kang Siok Im
- Khaw Sok Im
- Khaw Swee Lan
- Khaw Wooi Chuan
- Kho Lien Lan
- Kho Tiong Liong
- Khoo Aik Teik
- Khoo Ban Kee
- Khoo Chin Sek
- Khoo Eng Leng
- Khoo Guat Cheng
- Khoo Hong Gek
- Khoo Hong Soon
- Khoo Hooi Hwa
- Khoo Peck Kiaw
- Khoo Poh Beng
- Khoo Poh Huay
- Khor Ai Ee
- Khor Bee Hooi
- Khor Chin Lye & Khor Chin Kooi
- Khor Kheng Kee
- Khor Kooi See & Khor Kooi Lean
- Khor Lean Tin
- Khor Seng Lye
- Khouw Kiem Lan
- Khouw Kong Koen
K, continued
- Khu Chhun-mui
- Khu Siu-khim
- Kim Lian
- Kim Seng
- Koay Kean Siang
- Koay Keat Chye
- Koay Phaik Chin
- Koh Ai Lian
- Koh Choon Lock
- Koh Guat Gek
- Koh Joo Liang
- Koh Keng Soon
- Koh Siok Kee
- Koh Swee Tee
- Koh Tiong Bok
- Kuan Bee Hua
- Kuan Choon Thye
- Kuan Guan Kee
- Kuan Lip Kiat
- Kwa Ai Hiang
- Kwa Joo Teck
- Kwa Kim See
- Kwa Seng Hee
- Kwa Tiong Ghee
- Kwee Han Tjwan
- Kwek Gim Geok
- Kwek Gim Hoe
- Kwek Kim Hong & Kwek Kim Bok
- Kwek Siew Eng
- Kwek Wee Thye
- Kwik Beng Hong
- Kwik Lien Hong
L: 73 names
- Lacson
- Lao Hian Siong
- Lao Sui Lian
- Lau Geok Eng & Lau Geok Im
- Lau Hock Chai
- Lau Kee Hup
- Lau Kian-hong
- Lau Kim Lay
- Lau Le-khim
- Lau Lian Bee
- Lauw Tek Liang
- Lee Ban Hock
- Lee Ban Leong
- Lee Hup Chuan
- Lee Lay Gek
- Li Thiam-hok
- Liau Bi-leng
- Liau Giok-lan
- Liauw Lian Nio
- Liauw Seng Hok
- Lichauco
- Lie Giok Nio
- Lie Sing Ing
- Liem Hong Tek
- Liem Hwa Nio
- Liem Ing Bwee
- Liem Tjin Wie
- Lim Ai Bee
- Lim Beng Loon
- Lim Boon Poh
- Lim Chhiu-kiok
- Lim Chin Kee
- Lim Eng-chai
- Lim Gaik Kooi
- Lim Kooi Choo
- Lim Peck Kim & Lim Peck Sim
L, continued
- Lim Seng San
- Lim Suan Kee
- Lim Swee Yong
- Lim Tong Lai
- Lim Yong Hin
- Limjoco
- Lo Chi-beng
- Lo Siu-eng
- Loa Bie Kiem
- Loa Sin-gi
- Loa Siu-lan
- Loa Tjoen Soen
- Loh Poh Hua
- Loh Sok Bee
- Loh Swee Kiat
- Loh Teck Lam
- Loh Tong Huat & Loh Tong Ann
- Loo Ewe Kheng
- Loo Ewe Khoon
- Loo Siok Hong
- Low Boon Sing
- Low Eng Suan
- Low Gek Luan
- Low Kee Peng
- Low Kian Tee
- Low Soon Ghee
- Low Suan Kheng
- Low Swee Kee
- Lu Jin-tek
- Lua Bee Ngoh
- Lua Chee Pin
- Lua Cheng Pin
- Lua Chwee Keow
- Lua Hong Tuan
- Lua Kay Heng
- Lua Soo Im
- Lua Teck Liang
N: 16 names
- Neo Ah Watt
- Neo Chwee Ngoh
- Neo Suan Hong
- Neo Tiong Huat
- Ng Ah Siong
- Ng Hock Hin
- Ng Hwee Kuan
- Ng Kim Kwee
- Ng Kok-an
- Ng Say Choon
- Ng Siew Huay
- Ng Thiam Chuan
- Ng Wee Khoon & Ng Wee Kang
- Ngo Giok Bee
- Njoo Ing Lien
- Njoo Swie Hian
O: 35 names
- Oei Hwie Eng
- Oei Kian Han
- Oei Soen Kiem
- Oen Ek Liong
- Oh Beng Lam
- Oh Cheng Loon & Oh Cheng Hock
- Oh Geok Lean
- Oh Joo Suan
- Oh Lay Geok
- Oh Poh Keat
- Oh Say Guan
- Ong Ah Kuan
- Ong Bi-giok
- Ong Bwee Nio
- Ong Chee Guan
- Ong Chin Chye
- Ong Chooi Kheng & Ong Chooi Choon
- Ong Djin Beng
- Ong Eng Poh
- Ong Hooi Tatt
- Ong Hwee Lan
- Ong Poh Choon
- Ong Say Tiong
- Ong Swee Guan
- Ong Tiong-gi
- Ongpin
- Ooi Cheng Soon
- Ooi Chin Eng
- Ooi Chooi Imm
- Ooi Choon Hin
- Ooi Kok Teik & Ooi Kok Kee
- Oon Chwee Thye
- Oon Eng Hua
- Oon Hong Meng
- Oon Sok Tee
P: 23 names
- Pek Hup Siong & Pek Hup Sek
- Pek Kim Ngoh
- Pek Sin Hai
- Pek Sok Tuan
- Pek Wee Liang
- Phoa Hwa Hwie
- Phoa Swan Lien
- Phua Guan Hin
- Phua Hwee Khim
- Phua Soo Cheng
- Phua Yong Bok
- Png Ah Hee
- Png Ai Cheng
- Png Kay Ghee
- Png Lip Koon
- Png Siok-tin
- Png Soo Huay
- Poh Choo
- Poh Guan Heng
- Poh Guat Chin
- Poh Keng Lai & Poh Keng Lock
- Poh Lay Kheng
- Poh Sin Siang
Q: 6 names
- Quah Choon Hong
- Quah Chwee Yew
- Quah Lian Kim
- Quah Siew Tee
- Que Guan San
- Que Kian Un
S: 49 names
- Saw Hock Tatt
- Saw Kok Hock
- Saw Siew Hooi
- See Hwee Yong
- See Lip Khoon
- See Swee Teck
- Si Chi-ho
- Sia Bi-hui
- Sia Gim Tee
- Sia Hong Eng
- Sia Suan Choo
- Sia Yew Hup
- Siau Bun-liong
- Siauw Kie Hok
- Sie Hok Liong
- Sie Sioe Swan
- Siew Lan
- Sim Chin Lan
- Sim Eng Soon
- Sim Geok Kheng
- Sim Kok Hai
- Sim Peck Lay
- Sim Siu-kiok
- Sim Swee Eng
- Sim Swee Hup & Sim Swee Yong
- Sim Swee Liang
- Sim Tek-heng
- Sim Yong Sing
- Singson
- Sison
- Siy Chin Tiong
- Sng Guan Siong
- Sng Joo Kim
- Sng Joo Leng
- Sng Yong Kwee
- So Chi Chuan
- So Lay Hong
- Soh Cheng Keow
- Soh Hup Peng
- Soh Joo Hwa
- Soh Kian Lam
- Soon Choon Bwee
- Soon Chwee Tuan
- Soon Hock Kang
- Souw Sioe Tong
- Swee Neo
- Sy Giok Eng
- Sy Keng Ho
- Sycip
T: 73 names
- Tambunting
- Tan Chin Thye
- Tan Eng Yew
- Tan Eng-hui
- Tan Gek Lay
- Tan Giok-hong
- Tan Guat Yong
- Tan Joo Yong & Tan Joo Lan
- Tan Lay Ngoh
- Tan Lean Lan
- Tan Liang Hoa
- Tan Lip Huat
- Tan Siew Hong
- Tan Yew Teck
- Tanjuatco
- Tantoco
- Tay Ai Keow
- Tay Cheng Leng & Tay Cheng Keow
- Tay Eng Hiang
- Tay Hup Hai
- Tay Joo Koon
- Tay Kim Cheng
- Tay Kim Seng
- Tay Poh Tin
- Tay Soon Lock
- Teck Guan
- Tee Beng Watt
- Tee Chee Siang
- Tee Chin Choo
- Teh Chee Seng
- Teh Suan Bee
- Teh Suan Cheng & Teh Suan Ee
- Teo Ah Sim
- Teo Geok Leng
- Teo Kay Pin & Teo Kay Beng
- Teo Kee Chuan
T, continued
- Teo Kian Yong
- Teo Kok Ho
- Teo Kwee Tin
- Teo Poh San
- Teo Poh Tat
- Teoh Chin Im
- Teoh Chooi Gaik
- Teoh Hooi Hean
- Teoh Siew Sim
- Teoh Sok Kheng
- Teoh Soon Hin
- Teoh Swee Looi & Teoh Swee Chin
- The Gwan Seng
- The Siok Giok
- Thio Bing Hwie
- Thio Pek Eng
- Tio Ah Kwee
- Tio Beng Heng
- Tio Cheng Choo
- Tio Geok Kee
- Tiongson
- Tiu Kok Liong
- Tjan Djin Hoo
- Tjan Siok Lian
- Tjia Eng Kie
- Tjia Hwie Giok
- Tjoa Bwee Hwa
- Tjoa Gwat Tjoe
- Tjoa Ing Sing
- Tjoa Koen Tjeng
- Toh Chin Kim
- Toh Kim Swee
- Toh Kwee Chin
- Toh Siew Luan & Toh Siew Tuan
- Toh Thiam Eng
- Tuazon
- Ty Tek Sieng
U: 3 names
- Uy Lay Lan
- Uy Tian Chay
- Uytengsu
W: 9 names
- Wee Bee Hong
- Wee Beng Yam
- Wee Boon Lam
- Wee Chee Tat
- Wee Choon Kheng & Wee Choon Cheng
- Wee Geok Lian
- Wee Joo Kang
- Wee Sok Luan
- Wee Yew Tee