Period Chinese Names
Historical Feminine Names with Their Native Characters

Rev. 0, © 2004 Valerie L. Putman (known in the SCA as Yin Mei Li)
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This table lists historical, feminine names from several secondary sources for which the Chinese characters are available in this author’s fonts. The list includes personal names identified for women born before 1650, but excludes names that use characters that, in feminine names, seem to be reserved for women of particular rank. Names that are often considered to be pre-period, and names of women born after 1600, are included to help identify trends. In context, most of these names are ming or tzŭ, but the sources do not often identify which.

There is insufficient information in this list to provide a name analysis by region, social status, or time. However, there is sufficient information to conclude that period feminine names could refer to flowers, beautiful and/or precious objects (both animate and inanimate), and desirable feminine character traits. Feminine names that refer to traditionally masculine traits, such as strength or studiousness, are apparently rare. So far, the feminine ming and tzŭ for which this author has translations do not incorporate the name of a weapon or an occupation.


Historical Feminine Chinese Names with Their Native Characters
name Wade-Giles Pinyin Yale name type translation bearer as identified in source dates ref. notes
昭 Chao¹ Zhao¹ Chiu¹ ming Luminous, Illustrious Pan Chao, historian & authoress 1st C Giles, sn. Pan Chao  
昭 Chao¹ Zhao¹ Chiu¹ ming Luminous, Illustrious Wu Chao, (Empress Wu) 625-705 Giles, sn. Wu Hou  
昭 齊 Chao¹ Ch'i² Zhao¹ Qi² Chiu¹ Chai4 tzŭ Light of Ch'i, Bright Harmony Yeh Wan-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan 1610-1633 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan Ch'i is a surname, but if the surname is meant here, tzŭ meaning is probably tied to family or personal history. This tzŭ is a near homonym with the word 朝氣 zhao¹ qi4 meaning vital/dynamic, which might have influenced the name
昭 君 Chao¹ Chun¹ Zhao¹ Jun¹ Chiu¹ Gwan¹   Luminous Lady Wang Ch'iang 1st C BCE Giles, sn. Wang Ch'iang Wang Ch'iang is more commonly known as Chao Chün
朝 雲 Chao¹ Yün² Zhao¹ Yun² Jiu¹ Wan4   Morning Clouds, Dawn Clouds Chao Yün, mistress of poet Su Tung P'o 11th C Giles, sn. Chao Yün and Su Shih  
朝 雲 Chao¹ Yün² Zhao¹ Yun² Jiu¹ Wan4   Morning Clouds, Dawn Clouds Chao Yün, a waiting woman undated Giles, Chao Yün in context, this woman probably lived in BCE
趙 璧 Chao4 Pi4 Zhao4 Bi4 Jiu6 Bik¹ tzŭ Chao Jade Chu Te-jung, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1650 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han Name might be based on ancient story in which a jade object is stolen from a possibly fictional country Chao
貞 姜 Chên¹ Chiang¹ Zhen¹ Jiang¹ Jing¹ Geung¹   Persevering Chiang Chên Chiang, wife of Prince Chao of the Ch'u state 5th C BCE Giles, sn. Chên Chiang Chiang is the bearer's family name. The woman is legendary, but the legend is based on a real woman.
七 襄 Ch'i Hsiang¹ Qi¹ Xiang¹ Chat¹ Seung¹ tzŭ Seven Assists Shen T'ien-sun, daughter-in-law of T'u Lung 16th C G&F, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung No reason is identified for this unusual name. It might be based on a line from poetry that has special meaning to family, or on a notable family event.
金 蓮 Chin¹ Lien² Jin¹ Lian² Gam¹ Lin4   Gold/Golden Lotus Cheng Chin-lien, a palace maid c 1491 G&F, pp 376, 379 sn. Chu Yu-t'ang Bearer was rumored mother of Emperor Chu Yu-t'ang's eldest son (making the heir illegitimate)
金 鑾 Chin¹ Luan² Jin¹ Luan² Gam¹ Lyun4   Golden Bells Golden Bells, daughter of poet Po Chü-i 8th-9th C Giles, sn. Po Chü-i  
清 照 Ch'ing¹ Chao4 Qing¹ Zhao4 Ching¹ Jiu³   Clear Reflection, Pure Light Li Qingzhao, poetess 1084-1147 G&F, p. 668b sn. Huang O; “Poetry & Ci, ” sn. Li Qingzhao; Levine, sn. Li Qingzhao  
情 Ch'ing² Qing² Ching4   Love, Grace Chang Ch'ing, a man who had a feminine name 16th C G&F, p. 51 sn. Chang Ch'ou The biographical sketch explains the name is feminine and that the bearer had it to honor a family patron
景 蘭 Ching³ Lan² Jing³ Lan² Ging² Laan4 ming Beautiful Orchid Shan Ching-lan, wife of Ch'i Ch'eng-han 1605-1676+ G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
瓊 章 Ch'iung² Chang¹ Qiong² Chang¹ King4 Jeung¹ tzŭ Jade Elegance Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan 1616-1633 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan  
瓊 英 Ch'iung² Ying¹ Qiong² Ying¹ King4 Ying¹ ming Jade Flower, Precious Flower Yu Ch'iung-ying, daughter of Yu Ch'ien 15th C G&F, p. 1611b sn. Yu Ch'ien  
楚 孃 Ch'u³ Niang² Chu³ Niang² Cho² Neung4 tzŭ Clear Lady Chang Te-hui, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1650 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
春 節 Ch'un¹ Chieh² Chun¹ Jie² Cheun¹ Jit³ ming Spring Festival Hsuan Ch'un-chieh, daughter of Hsuan Ni 15th C G&F, p. 616b sn. Hsuan Ni The Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year celebration. No reason is identified for this apparently unusual name.
蘩 Fan² Fan² Faan4   Artemisia Lu Fan, first wife of Na-khi king Mu Tseng 16th-17th C G&F, p. 1077b sn. Mu Tseng The name refers to a particular species of Artemisia (a plant). Mu Tseng was Turkic. Apparently his first wife was Chinese, or was given a fully Chinese name.
飛 燕 Fei¹ Yen4 Fei¹ Yan4 Fei¹ Yin¹ tzŭ Flying Swallow Chao Fei-yen [Zhao Feiyan], dancing girl d 6 BCE or 1 AD Giles, sn. Chao Fei-yen; Foster, sn. Zhao Feiyan Bearer eventually became Emperor’s favorite concubine
鳳 姐 Feng² Chieh³ Feng² Jie³ Fung6 Je²   Phoenix Maiden Fung-chieh 16th C Chou, p. 117  
佛 母 Fo² Mu³ Fo² Mu³ Fat¹ Mou5 pseu-donym Buddha Mother T'ang Sai-er fl 1420 G&F, p. 1251b sn. T'ang Sai-er T'ang Sai-er called herself Fo-mu while leading a peasant rebellion. Pseudonym might be related to the Buddha Mother Temple
佛 女 Fo² Nü3 Fo² Nü3 Fat¹ Neui5   Buddha Girl/Woman, Merciful Woman Chu Fo-nü, second sister of Chu Yuan-chang 1317-1352 G&F, p. 881b Li Wen-chung  
敷 Fu¹ Fu¹ Fu¹   Apply Lo Fu, a faithful wife Han Dynasty (3rd C BCE - 3rd C) Giles, sn. Lo Fu Normally a masculine name
合 德 Ho² Tê² Ho² De² Hap6 Dak¹ tzŭ Gathers Goodness Ho-tê, Chao Fei-yen’s sister 1st C BCE Giles, sn. Chao Fei-yen; Foster, sn. Zhao Feiyan Apparently an unusual name
湘 君 Hsiang¹ Chun¹ Xiang¹ Jun¹ Seung¹ Gwan¹ tzŭ River Lady Hsiang Chun, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1606 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
湘 靈 Hsiang¹ Ling² Xiang¹ Ling² Seung¹ Ling4 tzŭ River Spirit T'u Yao-se, daughter of T'u Lung d before 1605 G&F, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung  
蕭 淑 Hsiao¹ Shu4 Xiao¹ Shu4 Siu¹   Reverent & Virtuous Hsiao Shu, concubine of emperor Li Chih 7th C Giles, sn. Wu Hou Name might have been given because it is homophonic with typical Empress names
小 小 Hsiao³ Hsiao³ Xiao³ Xiao³ Siu² Siu²   Small Su Hsiao-hsiao, courtesan 11th C Giles, sn. Su Hsiao-hsiao  
小 鸞 Hsiao³ Luan² Xiao³ Luan² Siu² Lyun4 ming Little [Argus] Pheasant Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan 1616-1633 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan  
小 紈 Hsiao³ Wan² Xiao³ Wan² Siu² Yun4 ming Young Wan Yeh Hsiao-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan b 1613 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan Bearer's older sister's name was 紈 紈 Wan² Wan²
小 蠻 Hsiao³ Man² Xiao³ Man² Siu² Maan4   Very Small, Little Barbarian Hsiao Man, a concubine of Po Chü-i 8th-9th C Giles, sn. Hsiao Man and Po Chü-i 小 Hsiao³ is not listed as a surname in any of this author's sources
小 娥 Hsiao³ O² Xiao³ E² Siu² Ngo4   Diminutive Beauty Hsieh Hsiao-o 8th-9th C Giles, sn. Hsieh Hsiao-o Bearer was famous for avenging her father’s death
修 嫣 Hsiu¹ Yen¹ Xiu¹ Yan¹ Sau¹ Yin¹ tzŭ Cultivates Charm Ch'i Te-ch'iung, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1606, d 1662 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
秀 眉 Hsiu4 Mei² Xiu4 Mei² Sau³ Mei4 tzŭ Elegant Eyebrows Huang O, poetess wife of scholar-official Yang Shen 1498-1569 G&F, pp. 667-669 sn. Huang O Elaborate, painted eyebrows were a lasting fashion in period China.
秀 英 Hsiu4 Ying¹ Xiu4 Ying¹ Sau³ Ying¹   Elegant Flower, Luxurious Flower Hsiu Ying, daughter of Ting I 4th-5th C Giles, sn. Ts'ai Luan Ting I was reputed to be a witch. (Chinese people believed in witches, but, unlike Europeans, did not necessarily believe all witches were evil.)
花 蕊 Hua¹ Jui³ Hua¹ Rui³ Fa¹ Yeui5 ?hao Flower Bud, Flower Heart Lady Fei; concubine of Mêng Ch'ang 10th C Giles, sn. Hua Jui Fu-jen Hua Jui Fu-jen was a name given to Lady Fei
蕙 Hui4 Hui4 Wai6 ming Orchid Su Hui, who was banished & separated from her husband 4th C Giles, sn. Su Hui This name refers to a specific type of marsh orchid.
恵 Hui4 Hui4 Wai6   Kind, Gracious, Docile Hsü Hui, concubine of emperor T'ai Tsung 7th C Giles, sn. Hsü Hui T'ang T'ai Tsung reigned 627-649
惠 姬 Hui4 Chi¹ Hui4 Ji¹ Wai6 Gei¹ tzŭ Gracious Chi, Obedient Chi, Kind Chi Pan Chao, historian, author, & a teacher & lady-in-waiting to Empress 1st C Giles, sn. Pan Chao 2nd character is 1st Emperor’s family name. This personal name apparently indicates she was held in high favor. Emperor, & his family’s power, were long dead by then, although he was still worshipped. His acts do not warrant these descriptors, but they are appropriate for a woman
紅 拂 Hung² Fu4 Hong² Fu4 Hung4 Fat¹ tzŭ Red Flicker Hung Fu, honorary sister of Chang Chung-chien 7th C Giles, sn. Hung Fu and Chang Chung-chien Named Red Flicker for a dyed yak's tail she always carried/wore
紅 紅 Hung² Hung² Hong² Hong² Hung4 Hung4   Red Chang Hung-hung, concubine of Wei Ch'ing & musical genius 9th C Giles, sn. Chang Hung-hung  
儀 I² Yi² Yi4 ming Polite Wang I, daughter of Wang Ao 1467-1517 G&F, p. 1347b sn. Wang Ao  
宜 修 I² Hsiu¹ Yi² Xiu¹ Yi4 Sau¹ ming Suitable Study Shen I-hsiu, poet & wife of Yeh Shao-yuan 1590-1635 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan Name apparently refers to her scholarship.
意 I4 Yi4 Yi³   Thought-fullness, Thoughtful Chang I, a man who had a feminine name 16th C G&F, p. 51 sn. Chang Ch'ou The biographical sketch explains the name is feminine and that the bearer had it to honor a family patron
若 昭 Jo4 Chao¹ Ruo4 Zhao¹ Yeuk6 Chiu¹   Bright Light, Like a Bright Light Sung Jo-chao, scholar & authoress d 825 Giles, sn. Sung Jo-chao 1 of 5 clever sisters. The other 4 became imperial concubines
若 蘭 Jo4 Lan² Ruo4 Lan² Yeuk6 Laan4 tzŭ Orchid, Like an Orchid Su Hui, who was banished & separated from her husband 4th C Giles, sn. Su Hui  
光 Kuang¹ Guang¹ Gwong¹ ming Light, Glory Mêng Kuang, wife of Liang Huang 1st C or 10th C Giles, sn. Mêng Kuang & Liang Hung; Foster, sn. Meng Guang Same person, discrepant dates (Han vs. Later Han dynasty)
桂 Kuei4 Gui4 Gwai³ ming Cinnamon religious lady Wang Tao-chen 1558-1580 G&F, pp. 1425-1427 sn. Wang Tao-chen Kuei was childhood name of religious lady Wang Tao-chen
蘭 Lan² Lan² Laan4 ming Orchid, Graceful Mu Lan, a favorite concubine of the Prince of Yueh 5th C Giles, sn. Mu Lan  
裏 綢 Li³ Ch'ou² Li³ Chou² Leui5 Chau4 tzŭ Inner Silk Yeh Hsiao-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan b 1613 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan Apparently an unusual name, for which the translation is uncertain.
麗 娟 Li4 Chüan¹ Li4 Juan¹ Leui Gyun¹   Graceful & Elegant, Graceful, Elegant Li Chüan, a favorite concubine of Emperor Wu Ti of Han Dynasty 2nd C BCE Giles, sn. Li Chüan  
麗 華 Li4 Hua² Li4 Hua² Leui Wa4 ming Elegant Flower, Graceful Flower Chang Kuei-fei 6th C Giles, sn. Chang Li-hua Chang Li-hua was adult personal name of Chang Kuei-fei
祿 珠 Lü4 Chu¹ Lu4 Zhu¹ Luk6 Jyu¹   Green Pearl, Green Jewel Lü Chu or Green Pearl, concubine to Shih Ch'ung, coveted by Sun Hsiu d c 300 Giles, sn. Shih Ch'ung Giles uses a different character, which is not in author’s font, for Lü. Chinese reviewers assured that the character used here is interchangeable with the one Giles used.
倫 Lun² Lun² Leun4 ming Moral, Ethical Ma Lun, daughter of Ma Jung & wife of Yuan Wei 2nd C Giles, sn. Ma Lun Apparently this character is more typically masculine.
媚 生 Mei4 Sheng¹ Mei4 Sheng¹ Mei6 Saang¹ tzŭ Charming Life Shan Ching-lan, wife of Ch'i Ch'eng-han 1605-1676+ G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
妙 音 Miao4 Yin¹ Miao4 Yin¹ Miu6 Yam¹ ming Wonderful Sound Ho Miao-yin, wife of Wang-Wei d 1377 G&F, p. 1446a sn. Wang Wei  
娘 娘 Niang² Niang² Niang² Niang² Neung4 Neung4   Lady Lu Niang-niang, a married woman c 1518 G&F, p. 231b sn. Chiang Pin  
娥 O² E² Ngo4   Good, Beautiful Chao O, a filial daughter;
Huang O, poetess & wife of Yang Shen		 c 150 BCE
1498-1569		 Giles, sn. Chao O;
G&F, pp. 667-669 sn. Huang O		  
娥 姁 O² Hsü1 E² Xu¹ Ngo4 Heui¹ ming Beautiful & Graceful, Good & Graceful, Beautiful Lü Hou, consort of emperor Kao Tsu d 180 BCE Giles, sn. Lü Hou O-hsü was a personal name of Lü Hou, an empress
盼 盼 P'an4 P'an4 Pan4 Pan4 Paan³ Paan³   Hope, Desirous P'an-p'an, concubine of Chang Chien-fêng 8th C Giles, sn. Chang Chien-fêng  
寶 林 Pao³ Lin² Bao³ Lin² Bou² Lam4 ming Valuable Forest, Valuable Collection, Jewel Collection Yeh Pao-lin, eldest daughter of Yeh Hsien-tsu 1609-1676 G&F, p. 1570b sn. Yeh Shao-yuan  
伯 榮 Po² Jung² Bo² Rong² Ba³ Wing4   Honored One Po Jung, daughter of Weng Shêng, who was emperor's foster mother 2nd C Giles, sn. Yang Chên Normally a masculine name according to Chinese reviewers
賽 金 Sai4 Chin¹ Sai4 Jin¹ Choi³ Gam¹ ming As Good As Gold Lu Sai-chin, wife of Wang Wen-lu 1469-1538 G&F, p. 1449b sn. Wang Wen-lu Named for a good turn of fortune at time of her birth
賽 兒 Sai4 Erh² Sai4 Er² Choi³ Yi4 ming As Good As a Son, Fighting Daughter T'ang Sai-êrh, serving maid & peasant rebel leader fl 1420 Giles, sn. T'ang Sai-êrh; G&F, p. 1251b sn. T'ang Sai-er Name might refer to a personality trait (she eventually led a peasant rebellion) or was given because she needed to be stronger
少 君 Shao4 Chün¹ Shao4 Jun¹ Siu² Gwan¹   Young Lady, Little Lady Huan Shao-chün, wife of Pao Hsuan 1st C BCE Giles, sn. Huan Shao-chün  
涉 Shê4 She4 Sip³   Involved, Experienced Chia Shê, concubine of Chao Yün 13th C Giles, sn. Chao Yün This character is seldom used today. It's meaning here is uncertain.
淑 端 Shu4 Tuan¹ Shu4 Duan¹ Suk¹ Dyun¹   Virtuous Beginning, Virtuous Member Hsu Shu-tuan, daughter of Grand Secretary Hsu Yu-chen, wife of Chu Yun-ming 1442-1476 G&F, p. 392b sn. Chu Yun-ming Appears as shown in several references. However, 2nd character might be a propagated mistake. Modern reviewers think character should be 瑞, Jui4 [Rui4] meaning precious, auspicious (name would mean Virtuous & Precious)
淑 貞 Shu4 Cheng¹ Shu4 Zheng¹ Suk¹ Jing¹ ming Virtuous Chu Shu-chêng, a poetess 9th C Giles, sn. Chu Shu-chêng  
素 Su4 Su4 Sou³   White Silk, Purity Fan Su, a concubine of Po Chü-i 8th-9th C Giles, sn. Fan Su & Po Chü-i  
弢 英 T'ao¹ Ying¹ Tao¹ Ying¹ Tou¹ Ying¹ tzŭ Covered Flower, Encased Bravery Ch'i Te-yuan, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1606 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
道 韞 Tao³ Yun4 Dao³ Yun4 Dou6 Wan³   Witty (Contains Truth, Contains Reason, Contains Skill) Tao Yun, niece of Hsieh An & daughter of Hsieh I 4th C Giles, sn. Tao Yun Bearer was famous for her wit
燾 貞 Tao4 Chen¹ Chou² Zhen¹ Dou6 Jing¹ ming Shining Virtue Wang Tao-chen, a religious lady 1558-1580 G&F, pp. 1425-1427 sn. Wang Tao-chen  
道 婆 Tao4 P'o² Dao4 Po² Dou6 Po4 hao or sobri-quet Skilled Grandma Huang Tao P'o, woman who taught art of cotton spinning & weaving 14th C Giles, sn. Huang Tao P’o Legend based on true events in which a woman figured heavily. Apparently this woman lived a long time & was popularly known only by this name. This is name by which she is known through history
德 眞 Te² Chen¹ De² Zhen¹ Dak¹ Jan¹   Virtuous & True, True Virtue Chao Te-chen, mother of T'ao Tsung-i d 1346 G&F, p. 1269a sn. T'ao Tsung-i  
德 璚 Te² Ch'iung² De² Qiong² Dak¹ Ging4 ming Virtuous & Precious, Splendid Virtue Ch'i Te-ch'iung, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1606, d 1662 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
德 蕙 Te² Hui4 De² Hui4 Dak¹ Wai6 ming Virtuous Orchid Chang Te-hui, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1650 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
德 容 Te² Jung² De² Rong² Dak¹ Yung4 ming Virtuous Woman Chu Te-jung, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1650 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
德 淵 Te² Yuan¹ De² Yuan¹ Dak¹ Yun¹ ming Deep Virtue Ch'i Te-yuan, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han b before 1606 G&F, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han  
緹 縈 T'i² Ying² Ti² Ying² Tai4 Ying4   Red Coil T'i Ying, heroic daughter of Ch'un-yu I [Yi Qunyu] c 167 BCE Giles, sn. T'i Ying; Levine sn. Ti Ying Name might refer to an event in which she threw herself at the emperor's feet to beg for her father's life
貂 蟬 Tiao¹ Ch'an² Diao¹ Chan² Diu¹ Sim4   Black Cicada Tiao Ch'an, singing girl 2nd C Giles, sn. Tiao Ch'an A cicada is an insect that makes noises like a cricket (the noises, not the insect). Tiao means martin, sable, mink, & it is a homophone for another character that also means cicada.
天 孫 T'ien¹ Sun¹ Tian¹ Sun¹ Tin¹ Syun¹ ming Blessed Grand-daughter Shen T'ien-sun, daughter-in-law of T'u Lung 16th C G&F, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung The author found no indication this woman was imperial, but name’s 1st character is atypical for a person who does not have imperial connections.
彩 鸞 Ts'ai³ Luan² Cai³ Luan² Choi² Lyun4   Colorful [Argus] Pheasant Ts'ai Luan, daughter of reputed witch Wu Meng 4th-5th C Giles, sn. Ts'ai Luan Chinese people believed in witches, but, unlike Europeans, did not necessarily believe all witches were evil.
翠 屏 Ts'ui4 P'ing² Cui4 Ping² Cheui³ Ping4   Blue Screen, Jade Screen Han Ts'ui-p'ing, woman released from palace of Emperor Hsi Tsung 9th C Giles, sn. Han Ts'ui-p'ing T'ang Hsi Tsung reigned 873-888
杜 陵 內 史 Tu4 Ling² Nei4 Shih³ Du4 Ling² Nei4 Shi³ Dou6 Ling4 Noi6 Si² hao Tu-ling [a city] Historian Tu-ling nei-shih, daughter of Ch'iu Ying, who painted under her hao 16th C G&F, p. 257a sn. Ch'iu Ying This hao is like a government official's title. However, apparently it is appropriate for a painter or writer whose usual subject or place of residence is the indicated city. Bearer was publicly known by this hao, but she most definitely had other, shorter names by which she was called.
紈 紈 Wan² Wan² Wan² Wan² Yun4 Yun4 ming Fine Silk Yeh Wan-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan 1610-1633 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan  
宛 君 Wan³ Chun¹ Wan³ Jun¹ Yun² Gwan¹ tzŭ Courteous Lady Shen I-hsiu, poet & wife of Yeh Shao-yuan 1590-1635 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan 2nd character is typically masculine. The name might indicate she was ill or weak and she or her family wanted her to be stronger.
婉 兒 Wan³ Erh² Wan³ Er2 Yun² Yi4   Graceful Child, Graceful Daughter Wan Erh, daughter of Shang-kuan, concubine of Emperor Chung Tsung 7th-8th C Giles, sn. 2119 Wan Erh Possibly a childhood name retained for much longer than is typical
瑤 期 Yao² Ch'i¹ Yao² Qi Yiu4 Kei4 tzŭ Jade Hope Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan 1616-1633 G&F, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan  
瑤 瑟 Yao² She4 Yao² Se4 Yiu4 Sat¹ ming Jade Lute T'u Yao-se, daughter of T'u Lung 16th C G&F, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung  
窅 娘 Yao³ Niang² Yao³ Niang² Yiu² Neung4   Lovely Maiden, Lovely Woman Yao Niang, concubine of sovereign-poet Li Yu 10th C Giles, sn. Yao Niang; Frankel This woman reputedly started foot binding. At least in more modern times, 1st character is more typical of courtesan & prostitute names.
琰 Yen³ Yan³ Yim5   Jewel Ts'ai Yen [Cai Yan], a kidnapped & ransomed woman 2nd-3rd C Giles, sn. 1983 Ts'ai Yen; Sun & Ji Feminine names can refer to jewels, but this character is usually masculine. Bearer is better known as Ts'ai Wen-chi [Cai Wenji], but Wen-chi appears to be a title or rank.
玉 環 Yü4 Huan² Yu4 Huan² Yuk6 Waan4 ming Jade Ring, Jade Bracelet Yang Kuei-fei [Yang Guifei] d 756 Giles, sn. Yang Kuei-fei; Foster, sn. Yang Guifei Yü-huan was personal name of Yang Kuei-fei [Yang Guifei]
元 珍 Yuan² Chen¹ Yuan² Zhen¹ Yun4 Jan¹   First Treasure, Primary Treasure Fei Yuan-chen, wife of T'ao Tsung-I, daughter of a general m c 1341 G&F, p. 1269b sn. T'ao Tsung-i  
月 娥 Yueh4 O² Yue4 E² Yut6 Ngo4   Moon Beauty Ting Yueh-o, sister of Ting Ho-nien d c 1350 G&F, p. 1288b sn. Ting Ho-nein  
雲 英 Yün² Ying¹ Yun² Ying¹ Wan4 Ying¹   Cloud Flower Yün Ying, beloved of P'ei Hang 9th C Giles, sn. P'ei Hang The couple is legendary, but the legend is based on a real couple.

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This page last updated September 26, 2004.

Prepared by Yin Mei Li, Octofoil Herald, and signed with her chop

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