Song Dynasty Name Generator

Authentic Chinese names from the Song era, 960–1279

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Generate Song dynasty names: emperors, scholar-officials, poets, painters, generals and Water Margin outlaws, plus original names built the way Song families actually named their sons and daughters. In pinyin, surname first.

About Song dynasty names

A Song dynasty name is written surname first, then a one- or two-character given name, so Su Shi is Mr Su. The surnames are familiar ones, and not by accident: the Hundred Family Surnames (Baijiaxing) was compiled in the early Song and opens with Zhao, the imperial clan, followed by Qian, Sun and Li. Given names of the period lean on virtue and scholarship, with characters meaning loyal, upright, cultured, bright or reverent (Zhongyan, Anshi, Tingjian, Dexiu, Yanbo), and on a family's generation character shared by brothers, which is why Su Shi and Su Zhe, or Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi, pair so neatly.

Educated men also carried a courtesy name taken at twenty and often an art name as well, so the poet Su Shi is equally Su Zizhan and Su Dongpo, and Li Qingzhao signed herself Yi'an Jushi. Women's given names were recorded less often; surviving ones use soft characters for jade, orchid, clarity and grace.

The list mixes the emperors Zhao Kuangyin to Zhao Bing, statesmen and Neo-Confucian thinkers, ci poets, painters, generals like Yue Fei and Di Qing, the fictional Song-era outlaws of the Water Margin, and hundreds of original names that follow the same rules, including rarer two-character surnames like Ouyang and Sima.

How to choose Song dynasty names

  • Keep the surname first and write it in pinyin with a capital on each word (Fan Zhongyan, not Zhongyan Fan) unless your setting has a reason to Westernise the order.
  • Give brothers a shared generation character (Su Shi and Su Zhe, Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi) if you are naming a family; it is one of the fastest ways to make a Song household feel real.
  • For a scholar-official, add a courtesy name or an art name (Dongpo, Fangweng, Jiaxuan) that he uses among friends; officials and poets of the period almost always had one.
  • Real historical names carry baggage: Qin Hui is remembered as the traitor who doomed Yue Fei, so do not hand that name to a sympathetic character by accident.
  • Water Margin names (Lin Chong, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen) are instantly recognisable to Chinese readers; use them for homage or pick an original name if you want a blank slate.

Frequently asked questions

What were common names in the Song dynasty?

Common surnames were Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng and Wang, the opening line of the Song-era Hundred Family Surnames, along with Liu, Chen, Yang and Huang. Given names favoured virtue characters: Zhong (loyal), Yan (upright), Wen (cultured), De (virtue), Zhi (will) and Xian (worthy), often combined in two-character names like Zhongyan, Dexiu or Wenzhi.

Why do Song emperors have several names?

Every Song emperor had a personal name (Zhao Kuangyin), a temple name used after death (Taizu) and an era name for his reign. Histories call him Emperor Taizu of Song; contemporaries never spoke his personal name aloud. The generator lists both personal and temple-name forms.

Are the Water Margin names real Song dynasty people?

Mostly not. Song Jiang led a real rebellion around 1120, but Lin Chong, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen and the other 108 outlaws are fictional characters from the novel Water Margin, which is set in the late Northern Song. They are included because they are the most famous Song-era names in Chinese popular culture.

How were Song dynasty women named?

Women kept their father's surname after marriage and were often recorded only as, say, Lady Wang or Madam Wei. Where given names survive, as with the poets Li Qingzhao and Zhu Shuzhen, they use graceful characters for jade, clarity, orchid or brightness. Commoners might be known by birth-order nicknames like Sanniang (third daughter).

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All 500 Song dynasty 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: 2 names

  • An Daoquan
  • An Guozhen

B: 9 names

  • Bai Jingfu
  • Bai Sheng
  • Bai Yuchan
  • Bai Yueqing
  • Bao Ruxian
  • Bao Zheng
  • Bei Shiyan
  • Bi Sheng
  • Bian Ruming

C: 29 names

  • Cai Fu
  • Cai Jing
  • Cai Qing
  • Cai Xiang
  • Cai Yuanding
  • Cao Bin
  • Cao Wei
  • Cao Yuqing
  • Cen Wenyu
  • Chai Jin
  • Chang Mengde
  • Chao Gongwu
  • Chen Da
  • Chen Fu
  • Chen Fuliang
  • Chen Guangzu
  • Chen Liang
  • Chen Rong
  • Chen Shidao
  • Chen Tuan
  • Chen Yaozuo
  • Chen Yizhong
  • Chen Yunjin
  • Chen Yuyi
  • Chen Ziming
  • Cheng Hao
  • Cheng Yi
  • Cui Bai
  • Cui Lanying

D: 15 names

  • Dahui Zonggao
  • Dai Fugu
  • Dai Zong
  • Deng Fei
  • Di Mengyu
  • Di Qing
  • Ding Desun
  • Ding Wei
  • Ding Yuhui
  • Dong Ping
  • Dong Xiuniang
  • Dong Yuan
  • Dongfang Mengxian
  • Du Qian
  • Duan Jingzhu

E: 9 names

  • Emperor Gaozong of Song
  • Emperor Huizong of Song
  • Emperor Renzong of Song
  • Emperor Taizong of Song
  • Emperor Taizu of Song
  • Empress Wei of Song
  • Empress Wu of Song
  • Empress Xiang
  • Empress Yang of Song

F: 10 names

  • Fan Chengda
  • Fan Chunren
  • Fan Kuan
  • Fan Yanling
  • Fan Zhongyan
  • Fang Shurou
  • Fei Zhongde
  • Feng Wanning
  • Fu Shuqing
  • Fu Yaoyu

G: 13 names

  • Gao Qiu
  • Gao Shirong
  • Ge Shouyi
  • Gong Kai
  • Gongsun Sheng
  • Gongsun Wenzhi
  • Gongsun Yuniang
  • Gu Dasao
  • Guan Sheng
  • Guo Shiwen
  • Guo Xi
  • Guo Xiangyun
  • Guo Xianzhi

H: 32 names

  • Han Dechun
  • Han Jiang
  • Han Ju
  • Han Qi
  • Han Shizhong
  • Han Tao
  • Han Tuozhou
  • Han Yuezhen
  • Hao Shiyuan
  • Hao Siwen
  • He Jinlian
  • He Zhu
  • Hong Gua
  • Hong Hao
  • Hong Mai
  • Hongzhi Zhengjue
  • Hou Jian
  • Hu Anguo
  • Hu Hongzhi
  • Hu Yin
  • Hu Yuan
  • Hua Rong
  • Hua Zhiyou
  • Huang Gan
  • Huang Jucai
  • Huang Ruizhen
  • Huang Tingjian
  • Huang Xin
  • Huangfu Duan
  • Huangfu Jingde
  • Huangfu Lanzhen
  • Huihong

J: 14 names

  • Ji Guangzu
  • Jia Sidao
  • Jia Xian
  • Jia Yuanzhong
  • Jiang Boyu
  • Jiang Cai
  • Jiang Jie
  • Jiang Jing
  • Jiang Kui
  • Jiang Xueniang
  • Jiang Yanzhen
  • Jin Dajian
  • Jin Lüxiang
  • Jin Shuniang

K: 7 names

  • Kang Wanshu
  • Kong Jingwan
  • Kong Liang
  • Kong Pingzhong
  • Kong Yanshou
  • Kong Zhongxiu
  • Kou Zhun

L: 63 names

  • Lan Tingxiu
  • Lan Zhenniang
  • Lang Shunzhi
  • Le Shaoyun
  • Li Cheng
  • Li Di
  • Li Fang
  • Li Gang
  • Li Gefei
  • Li Gonglin
  • Li Gou
  • Li Guang
  • Li Gun
  • Li Kui
  • Li Qingniang
  • Li Qingzhao
  • Li Shishi
  • Li Song
  • Li Tang
  • Li Tao
  • Li Yi'an
  • Li Ying
  • Li Yun
  • Li Zhong
  • Lian Shangzhi
  • Liang Hongyu
  • Liang Kai
  • Liang Shiyong
  • Lin Bu
  • Lin Chong
  • Lin Hejing

L, continued

  • Lin Lingsu
  • Ling Zhen
  • Liu Baoyue
  • Liu Guangshi
  • Liu Kezhuang
  • Liu Qi
  • Liu Songnian
  • Liu Tunfang
  • Liu Yanfu
  • Liu Yong
  • Liu Yun
  • Liu Zheng
  • Liu Zhi
  • Lou Jingde
  • Lü Benzhong
  • Lü Dalin
  • Lu Dian
  • Lu Fangweng
  • Lü Gongzhu
  • Lü Huiqing
  • Lu Jiuling
  • Lu Jiuyuan
  • Lu Junyi
  • Lü Mengzheng
  • Lu Ruxian
  • Lu Xiufu
  • Lü Yijian
  • Lu You
  • Lu Yuhua
  • Lu Zhishen
  • Lü Zuqian
  • Luo Wanhua

M: 24 names

  • Ma Bowen
  • Ma Duanlin
  • Ma Hezhi
  • Ma Huiying
  • Ma Lin
  • Ma Yuan
  • Ma Zhixian
  • Mao Zhongxin
  • Mei Yaochen
  • Mei Zhongrui
  • Meng Kang
  • Meng Shouyi
  • Mi Fu
  • Mi Youren
  • Miao Yanzhao
  • Min Daozhi
  • Mu Chun
  • Mu Guiying
  • Mu Hong
  • Mu Jingbo
  • Mu Qi
  • Mu Wanjing
  • Murong Qingxue
  • Murong Yanzhao

N: 2 names

  • Ni Daoyuan
  • Niu Gao

O: 5 names

  • Ou Peng
  • Ouyang Shuhui
  • Ouyang Tingzhi
  • Ouyang Xiu
  • Ouyang Zuiweng

P: 10 names

  • Pan Dalin
  • Pan Guangyu
  • Pan Mei
  • Pan Renmei
  • Pan Ruyu
  • Pang Ji
  • Pei Xuan
  • Peng Qi
  • Peng Ruyu
  • Pu Shougeng

Q: 16 names

  • Qi Wanyun
  • Qi Zhiping
  • Qian Weiyan
  • Qian Xuan
  • Qian Yi
  • Qiang Shiren
  • Qin Guan
  • Qin Huaihai
  • Qin Hui
  • Qin Jiushao
  • Qin Ming
  • Qin Shaoxian
  • Qin Xiulian
  • Qisong
  • Qu Jingliang
  • Quan Jiu

R: 5 names

  • Ren Shiqing
  • Ren Shuying
  • Ruan Chengfu
  • Ruan Xiaoqi
  • Ruan Xiaowu

S: 37 names

  • Shan Tinggui
  • Shangguan Yunfu
  • Shao Bowen
  • Shao Yanzhi
  • Shao Yong
  • She Saihua
  • Shen Daofu
  • Shen Huan
  • Shen Kuo
  • Shen Shuzhen
  • Sheng Dezhi
  • Shi En
  • Shi Miaoyin
  • Shi Miyuan
  • Shi Qian
  • Shi Shouxin
  • Shi Yuanzhi
  • Shu Lin
  • Sima Bozhong
  • Sima Guang
  • Song Ci
  • Song Jiang
  • Song Qi
  • Song Xiang
  • Su Dongpo
  • Su Hanchen
  • Su Lingxiu
  • Su Shi
  • Su Shunqin
  • Su Song
  • Su Xun
  • Su Zhe
  • Sun Erniang
  • Sun Fu
  • Sun Li
  • Sun Xin
  • Suo Chao

T: 12 names

  • Tan Yanqing
  • Tang Long
  • Tang Shenwei
  • Tang Wan
  • Tao Wanqing
  • Tao Xuanqing
  • Teng Yanbo
  • Tian Kuang
  • Tong Guan
  • Tong Guangxian
  • Tong Meng
  • Tong Wei

W: 33 names

  • Wang Anguo
  • Wang Anshi
  • Wang Bo
  • Wang Dan
  • Wang Dingliu
  • Wang Mingqing
  • Wang Pang
  • Wang Quanbin
  • Wang Shao
  • Wang Shenqi
  • Wang Shipeng
  • Wang Ximeng
  • Wang Xiulan
  • Wang Ying
  • Wang Yinglin
  • Wang Yuanliang
  • Wang Yucheng
  • Wang Zhaoyun
  • Wei Dingguo
  • Wei Heshan
  • Wei Qinghua
  • Wei Shangzhi
  • Wei Wan
  • Wen Tianxiang
  • Wen Tong
  • Wen Xiuzhen
  • Wen Yanbo
  • Wu Jie
  • Wu Lianxin
  • Wu Lin
  • Wu Shuji
  • Wu Wenying
  • Wu Yong

X: 23 names

  • Xi Zhongyu
  • Xia Gui
  • Xiahou Zhengqing
  • Xiahou Zhenhua
  • Xiang Chong
  • Xiao Rang
  • Xiao Yuanli
  • Xie Ao
  • Xie Daoqing
  • Xie Fangde
  • Xie Liangzuo
  • Xie Yi
  • Xie Zhen
  • Xin Jiaxuan
  • Xin Qiji
  • Xiong Bozhong
  • Xu Daoning
  • Xu Mingyuan
  • Xu Xi
  • Xu Yanguo
  • Xuan Zan
  • Xue Jingfu
  • Xue Yinglan

Y: 39 names

  • Yan Huiniang
  • Yan Jidao
  • Yan Qing
  • Yan Rui
  • Yan Shu
  • Yan Wengui
  • Yan Zhengchen
  • Yang Chun
  • Yang Jian
  • Yang Lin
  • Yang Paifeng
  • Yang Shi
  • Yang Wanli
  • Yang Wenju
  • Yang Xiong
  • Yang Yanzhao
  • Yang Ye
  • Yang Yi
  • Yang Zaixing
  • Yang Zhi
  • Yao Shude
  • Ye Chengzhi
  • Ye Mengde
  • Ye Mingzhu
  • Ye Shi
  • You Mao
  • You Zhongfu
  • You Zuo
  • Yu Jie
  • Yu Yunwen
  • Yuan Cai
  • Yuan Shu
  • Yuan Xie
  • Yuanwu Keqin
  • Yue Fei
  • Yue He
  • Yue Ke
  • Yue Yun
  • Yun Zhongde

Z: 91 names

  • Zang Wenbi
  • Zeng Gong
  • Zeng Ji
  • Zhan Tingfu
  • Zhang Boduan
  • Zhang Dewen
  • Zhang Dun
  • Zhang Fangping
  • Zhang Heng
  • Zhang Jun
  • Zhang Lei
  • Zhang Shangying
  • Zhang Shi
  • Zhang Shijie
  • Zhang Shiwen
  • Zhang Shou
  • Zhang Wanrou
  • Zhang Xian
  • Zhang Xiaoxiang
  • Zhang Yan
  • Zhang Yuniang
  • Zhang Zai
  • Zhang Zeduan
  • Zhao Bian
  • Zhao Bing
  • Zhao Boju
  • Zhao Bozhen
  • Zhao Chang
  • Zhao Defang
  • Zhao Dezhao
  • Zhao Ding
  • Zhao Dun
  • Zhao Fan
  • Zhao Gou
  • Zhao Guangyi
  • Zhao Heng
  • Zhao Huan
  • Zhao Huirou
  • Zhao Ji
  • Zhao Jinyue
  • Zhao Kuangyin
  • Zhao Kui
  • Zhao Kuo
  • Zhao Mengfu
  • Zhao Mengjian

Z, continued

  • Zhao Mingcheng
  • Zhao Peilan
  • Zhao Pu
  • Zhao Qi
  • Zhao Qingyu
  • Zhao Ruhui
  • Zhao Ruyu
  • Zhao Shen
  • Zhao Shi
  • Zhao Shu
  • Zhao Tingmei
  • Zhao Wanyi
  • Zhao Xian
  • Zhao Xu
  • Zhao Yanwei
  • Zhao Yinglan
  • Zhao Yuanyan
  • Zhao Yun
  • Zhao Yunniang
  • Zhao Zhen
  • Zhe Keshi
  • Zhen Dexiu
  • Zheng Qiao
  • Zheng Ruolan
  • Zheng Tianshou
  • Zhong E
  • Zhongli Daoyuan
  • Zhou Bangyan
  • Zhou Bida
  • Zhou Dunyi
  • Zhou Hui
  • Zhou Mi
  • Zhou Tong
  • Zhou Wanyu
  • Zhu Dunru
  • Zhu Fu
  • Zhu Gui
  • Zhu Peiyu
  • Zhu Shuzhen
  • Zhu Wu
  • Zhu Xi
  • Zhu Yu
  • Zhuge Shiyuan
  • Zong Ze
  • Zou Mingyue
  • Zou Yuan