English to Chinese name translator
Type your name to see how it is written in Chinese. You get the usual transliteration — the characters Chinese newspapers use for your name — plus Chinese-style names chosen for meaning, each with pinyin and the meaning of every character. Then carve your favourite into a Chinese seal.
Names are suggested by AI; each character’s reading and meaning come from the Unicode Han Database.
How the translator works
Chinese has no alphabet, so a foreign name is rebuilt from characters. Sound-based names follow the transliterations Chinese media use for foreign names — Michael becomes 迈克尔 (mài kè ěr). Meaning-based names are two or three characters whose sound echoes yours and whose meaning is positive, often starting with a real Chinese surname. Every character is checked against the Unicode Han Database, and characters with unlucky meanings are filtered out. Read more about how we choose your Chinese name.
Popular names in Chinese
Questions
How do I translate my name into Chinese?
Type your name in English letters above and choose “Translate”. Common names show the usual Chinese spelling right away, and you also get six suggestions — two sound-based transliterations and four Chinese-style names chosen for meaning — with the pinyin and the meaning of every character.
Is a Chinese name translation exact?
No — Chinese has no alphabet, so a name is rebuilt from characters that sound alike or carry a good meaning. The transliterations follow the conventions Chinese media use for foreign names; meaning-based names are suggestions, so pick the one you like best.
Should I translate my first name and last name?
Usually just your first name. Chinese names put the family name first, and full transliterations of long English names get very long — a two- or three-character name is easier to use and fits on a seal.
Can I use the result for a tattoo?
Please check with a native Chinese speaker first. Every character here is checked against the Unicode Han Database, but a person who reads Chinese should confirm any name you put on your skin.
Is the translator free?
Yes. Translating your name, carving it into a digital Chinese seal and downloading the seal are all free.