Chinese Name 中文名字 (1)

Chinese name usually has 2 or 3 characters, last name is first, first name is last, it's totally upside down comparing English name. Chinese name has no middle name.

For example:
李(last name)白(first name),     701－762, famous ancient Chinese poet
王（last name)之涣(first name),  688－742, famous ancient Chinese poet
李世民, 601—636, second emperor of Tang dynasty

In tradition, parents give their children's name following the rank of the family's generation, family children in the same generation have the same middle or last character. Some parents like to use their children's middle or last character to embed a big meaning, carrying on their hopes.

For example:

Names from oldest brother's family children:
李文光
李文宗
李文耀
李文祖
the middle characters are the same, four last characters compose 光宗耀祖, means  making family proud.

Names from younger brother's family children:
李文荣
李文华
李文富
李文贵
the middle characters following the middle names from his older brother's children, four last characters compose 荣华富贵, means living with fortune and honor.

Family in China is only allowed to have 1 or 2 kids nowadays, besides, the trend favors Western culture, so, this tradition faded out.

Any questions about Chinese language? Please go to Basic Chinese, drop your questions there.