From Li Bai to Su Shi: 15 Beautiful Chinese Names from Tang & Song Poetry

Here's the thing about Chinese names: the best ones were already written over a thousand years ago.

For centuries, Chinese parents have turned to poetry when naming their children. Not because it sounds fancy, but because a single line of Tang or Song dynasty verse can capture an entire lifetime of hopes, personality, and destiny in just two or three characters.

Today, that tradition continues. Whether you're a business professional seeking a name that opens doors in China, a language learner wanting something authentic, or simply someone who appreciates the poetry hidden in language, the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties offer a treasury of beautiful, meaningful names.

In this article, I'll walk you through 15 names drawn from five of China's greatest poets. Each one tells a story. Each one carries weight. And each one might just be the name you've been looking for.

Li Bai: The Drunken Romantic

Li Bai (李白, 701–762) was the rock star of Tang poetry. Legend says he drowned trying to embrace the moon's reflection while drunk in a boat. Whether that's true or not, it tells you everything about his personality: romantic, impulsive, and utterly unafraid of living big.

His poetry bursts with imagery of mountains, wine, moonlight, and the open road. If you want a name that suggests freedom, creativity, and a touch of wildness, Li Bai is your poet.

Yúnfān 云帆 (Cloud Sail)

Source: "A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves; I'll set my cloud-white sail and cross the blue sea."

Honestly, this might be Li Bai's most famous line. He wrote it while demoted and depressed, yet the poem overflows with defiant optimism.

Yún (云) means cloud—ethereal, free, ever-changing. Fān (帆) means sail—journey, ambition, forward movement. Together, they capture that electric moment before a great voyage begins.

The "cloud sail" imagery is particularly beautiful. It suggests someone who doesn't fight against the wind but knows how to ride it. Someone preparing for something significant, with the courage to venture into unknown waters.

This name has a masculine energy but works beautifully for women too. Pronunciation flows upward (Yún-rising tone, fān-high level), matching its aspirational meaning. Perfect for entrepreneurs, artists, or anyone starting a new chapter.

Míngyuè 明月 (Bright Moon)

Li Bai wrote about the moon constantly. "Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon; with my shadow, we make three." "Looking up at the bright moon, I lower my head and think of home."

Míng (明) means bright, clear, enlightened. Yuè (月) means moon—purity, cycles, quiet beauty. Together, they suggest someone who illuminates their surroundings, who has an inner light that doesn't depend on external validation.

But here's the thing—Míngyuè is already overused. You probably know someone named Mingyue, or with Yue in their name. It's beautiful, no question, but it's also extremely common.

If you love the moon imagery, consider variations like Yuèbái (月白, moon-white) or Zhàoyuè (照月, illuminating moon). Or better yet, check Su Shi's poetry—he wrote about the moon even better than Li Bai.

Tiānxiào 天笑 (Heaven Laughs)

This one's my personal favorite.

Source: "I throw back my head and laugh at the sky as I walk out the door—how could someone like me be a mere weed among the grass?"

Picture this: a middle-aged man, head thrown back, laughing at the heavens, then striding out the door with swagger. Li Bai wrote this when finally summoned to the capital after years of obscurity. The moment he'd been waiting for.

Tiān (天) means heaven or sky—grandeur, natural authority. Xiào (笑) means smile or laughter—joy, confidence, irreverence. This name screams "I don't take myself too seriously, but I aim high."

The image of laughing at the sky captures a spirit that can't be kept down. Someone who finds joy even when facing vastness. Who has confidence without arrogance.

More masculine-leaning, but could work for a bold, unconventional woman. If you're a leader with a sense of humor—the kind of CEO your team finds approachable despite your position—this name fits you perfectly.

Du Fu: The Grounded Observer

If Li Bai was the dreamer, Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770) was the one who paid attention. While Li Bai wandered mountains drunk on wine, Du Fu documented war's human cost, peasant hardships, and the weight of responsibility. He's called the "Poet-Historian" and the "Sage of Poetry."

His names carry weight. Sometimes too much weight.

Língyuè 凌岳 (Surpassing Peaks)

Source: "I will ascend the highest peak and look down on all lesser mountains."

Most people think Li Bai wrote this. Actually, it was Du Fu.

Líng (凌) means surpass, ascend, tower over—excellence, ambition. Yuè (岳) means high mountain—stability, grandeur, achievement. This name suggests someone who aims for the very top, not in a competitive way, but as natural consequence of their capabilities.

But here's the subtlety: Du Fu wrote this about Mount Tai, which he never actually climbed. He was saying "I will one day," not "I have." So the name carries that energy of "I know the mountain is high, but I'm going up anyway."

Strong masculine energy. Great for executives and academics. But fair warning: both characters are heavy, all yang energy. If you're already intense, this name might make you seem more intimidating.

Shūshén 书神 (Writing Spirit)

Source: "Read ten thousand volumes until worn, and your pen will move like a god's."

Shū (书) means book or writing—knowledge, scholarship. Shén (神) means spirit or god—mastery, divine inspiration. This name literally means "writing god" or "book spirit."

The interesting paradox here: it celebrates hard work (ten thousand volumes!) leading to seemingly effortless skill. It's the name for someone whose expertise transcends the ordinary, who has put in the hours to achieve mastery.

Works beautifully for writers, academics, researchers, lawyers—anyone whose value comes from deep knowledge. And unlike Língyuè, this one works for any gender.

Qīnglù 青鹭 (Azure Egret)

Du Fu wrote beautiful nature poetry too: "Two yellow orioles sing in green willows; a line of white egrets ascends the blue sky."

Qīng (青) means blue-green or azure—nature, freshness, youth. Lù (鹭) means egret—grace, purity, upward movement. This name captures one of Chinese poetry's most vivid images: white birds against blue sky.

Egrets carry special meaning in Chinese culture. They represent scholars who maintain purity and integrity even in murky waters. Someone who stays clean despite their environment.

Beautiful for artists, designers, environmentalists. But honestly? It's almost too elegant. If you're in finance or sales, this might seem too refined, not punchy enough.

Su Shi: The Optimistic Exile

Su Shi (苏轼, 1037–1101), also known as Su Dongpo, was the ultimate Renaissance man—poet, statesman, painter, calligrapher, and gourmand (Dongpo pork is named after him). He spent his life being exiled to increasingly remote corners of China, yet maintained almost supernatural optimism.

His names carry resilience, wisdom, and the ability to find joy in difficult circumstances.

Jiāngliú 江流 (River Flow)

Source: "The great river flows east, its waves washing away all the romantic heroes of a thousand ages."

Su Shi wrote this while exiled to Huangzhou. He'd just survived the lowest point of his life—the Crow Terrace Poetry Case, where he nearly died. Yet he didn't write about his suffering. He wrote about a river flowing east and heroes forgotten by time.

Jiāng (江) means great river—continuity, power, history. Liú (流) means flow or current—movement, adaptability. This name connects the individual to something vast and enduring.

Rivers in Chinese philosophy represent time, history, life itself. To be "river flow" suggests someone who moves with purpose but isn't rigid. Who understands change is constant and navigates it with grace. Who is part of something larger than themselves.

Perfect for business leaders, historians, long-term investors—anyone who thinks in terms of legacy. Strong masculine energy.

Chánjuān 婵娟 (Graceful Beauty)

Source: "May we all be blessed with longevity, though a thousand miles apart, sharing the same beautiful moon."

Su Shi wrote this to his brother. Chánjuān literally means "beautiful grace." In the poem, it refers to the moon—beauty that can be shared across distance.

This is one of Chinese literature's most classic female names. Thousands of years of girls named Chánjuān. It suggests someone who brings light to others, whose presence is a gift even when far away.

If you want a name that makes Chinese people think "elegant," "authentically Chinese," "timeless"—this is it. But precisely because it's so classic, it lacks uniqueness.

Distinctly feminine. For a masculine equivalent from the same poem, consider Chángjiǔ (长久), meaning "long-lasting."

Zhīnuǎn 知暖 (Knowing Warmth)

This one comes from a charming little poem: "Beyond the bamboo, three or two peach branches bloom; the ducks are first to know when the spring river grows warm."

Zhī (知) means know or perceive—awareness, sensitivity. Nuǎn (暖) means warm—kindness, comfort, spring. This name captures the duck's sensitivity to changing seasons.

It represents perceptiveness—the ability to sense warmth before others do. In business, this is the trend-spotter. In relationships, this is someone who knows what you need before you ask.

Gentle, nurturing quality. Works for consultants, therapists, empathetic leaders. Any gender, but softer energy.

Qìhuá 气华 (Spirit Splendor)

Source: "When your belly is full of poetry and books, your spirit naturally blooms with elegance."

Qì (气) means spirit, energy, breath—vitality, presence. Huá (华) means splendor, magnificence—beauty, brilliance. This name suggests true elegance comes from internal cultivation, not external decoration.

It's for someone who has put in the work to develop mind and character, whose excellence radiates naturally. Confidence that doesn't announce itself.

Great for academics, cultured professionals, anyone whose value comes from expertise rather than flash. Works for any gender.

Li Qingzhao: The Sensitive Innovator

Li Qingzhao (李清照, 1084–1155) was one of few celebrated female poets in Chinese history—and she didn't just hold her own against men, she revolutionized the form. Her lyric poetry is known for emotional depth, sensory precision, and unconventional perspectives.

Her names are often surprising, aesthetically bold, and emotionally resonant.

Zhīfǒu 知否 (Do You Know?)

Source: "Do you know? Do you know? It should be that the green grows fat while the red grows thin."

She's asking about spring ending—fat green leaves, thinning red flowers. But as a name, Zhīfǒu is extremely unconventional. It literally means "do you know?" with questioning tone.

This suggests someone who questions, who pays attention, who doesn't take things at face value. It's memorable precisely because it's challenging.

Great for journalists, researchers, critical thinkers. Works for any gender but has intellectual, slightly rebellious energy.

Cultural note: This questioning tone might seem too direct in conservative contexts. Know your audience.

Sīyuǎn 思远 (Thinking Far)

Source: "Flowers drift and fall, water flows on its own; one longing, two places of idle sorrow."

Sī (思) means think or long for—thought, emotion, connection. Yuǎn (远) means distant or far—depth, aspiration, separation. This name captures the ache of longing for someone far away.

It suggests someone who feels deeply, maintains connections across distance, whose thoughts reach beyond the immediate. Sweet but touched with melancholy.

Good for diplomats, international business people, long-distance partners. Romantic, poetic quality. Works for any gender.

Jīnglù 惊鹭 (Startled Heron)

Source: "Row, row! Startled, a beach of gulls and herons rises into flight."

Imagine: birds quietly resting on sand, suddenly a boat cuts through, they all rise at once. Jīnglù captures that moment of sudden, beautiful disruption.

It suggests someone who brings energy and surprise, whose presence wakes things up—but gracefully. Stillness transforming into flight.

Good for entrepreneurs, disruptors, artists—anyone who wants to shake things up beautifully. More feminine-leaning due to graceful bird imagery, but could work for unconventional men.

Wang Wei: The Meditative Painter

Wang Wei (王维, 699–761) was called "Poet-Buddha" because his poetry is so quiet, so Zen. A painter as well as poet, he could evoke entire landscapes in few characters. Deeply influenced by Buddhism and Daoism—simplicity, natural beauty, wisdom of acceptance.

His names are calm, contemplative, suggest effortless mastery.

Yúnqǐ 云起 (Clouds Rising)

Source: "Walk until the water ends, then sit and watch the clouds rise."

This is Wang Wei's most famous line. Profound Daoist wisdom: when you've reached an end (water runs out), simply shift perspective and find new beauty (rising clouds).

Yún (云) means cloud—freedom, change, elevation. Qǐ (起) means rise or begin—new beginnings, upward movement. This name suggests resilience, adaptability, finding opportunity in apparent limitation.

The clouds don't force themselves to rise. They simply do. Quiet strength.

Perfect for entrepreneurs who've pivoted, anyone recovering from setback, strategists who see opportunity where others see dead ends. Works for any gender.

Qīngquán 清泉 (Clear Spring)

Source: "Bright moon shines through the pines; clear spring flows over the stones."

Qīng (清) means clear or pure—transparency, integrity. Quán (泉) means spring or fountain—source, continuous flow. This name suggests purity without pretension, clarity without harshness.

Spring water flowing over stones maintains purity despite obstacles, finds its way naturally. Associated with integrity—what you see is what you get—and continuous renewal.

Good for consultants, coaches, anyone in "purification" or "clarification" roles. Works beautifully for women but could suit men who value understated integrity.

How to Choose

After exploring fifteen names from five masters, you might wonder: how do I pick?

First, choose your poet. Each has distinct voice:

• Li Bai's names are bold, romantic, slightly wild
• Du Fu's names carry weight and responsibility
• Su Shi's names are resilient and philosophical
• Li Qingzhao's names are emotionally precise and unconventional
• Wang Wei's names are calm and effortlessly elegant

Don't chase perfect meaning. Chinese names' beauty lies in ambiguity and layers. A name can have multiple interpretations—that's the charm.

Say it out loud. Some names sound better than they look. Yúnfān flows upward. Chánjuān sounds soft. Pick one that matches your energy.

Most importantly: you have to like it. This is what people will call you. If you don't love it, the best symbolism in the world doesn't matter.

A name is what people call you. Make it something worth remembering.