Name Guide
Courtesy Names
A courtesy name is given to an individual when they come of age. Traditionally, this was at the age of twenty during one’s crowning ceremony, but it can also be presented when an elder or teacher deems the recipient worthy. Generally a male-only tradition, there is historical precedent for women adopting a courtesy name after marriage. Courtesy names were a tradition reserved for the upper class.
It was considered disrespectful for one’s peers of the same generation to address someone by their birth name, especially in formal or written communication. Use of one’s birth name was reserved for only elders, close friends, and spouses.
This practice is no longer used in modern China but is commonly seen in wuxia and xianxia media. As such, many characters have more than one name. Its implementation in novels is irregular and is often treated malleably for the sake of storytelling. For example, in Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, characters as young as fifteen years of age are referred to only by their courtesy names, while traditionally they would not have been permitted to use them until the age of twenty.
Sobriquet
The term used in this translation for hao (號). Hao can also be translated as “art name.” These names are generally chosen by an individual for themselves, but they can also be bestowed upon them in light of their accomplishments or traits. They were often used as pen names or respectful titles for scholars, government officials, or martial heroes. They could be derived from a number of possible subjects, including their place of birth, a poetic quote, a feat that the person in question was famous for, and more.
Names, Honorifics, & Titles
Diminutives, Nicknames, and Name Tags
XIAO-: A diminutive meaning “little.” Always a prefix.
LAO-: A diminutive meaning “old.”
-ER: A word for “son” or “child.” Added to a name, it expresses affection. Similar to calling someone “Little” or “Sonny.”
A-: Friendly diminutive. Always a prefix. Usually for monosyllabic names, or one syllable out of a two-syllable name.
EXAMPLE: A-Qing, A-Yuan, A-Xian (For Wei Wuxian)
Doubling a syllable of a person’s name can be a nickname, and has childish or cutesy connotations.
EXAMPLE: Xianxian (for Wei Wuxian, referring to himself).
Family
BOMU: Aunt (non-biological, wife of father’s elder brother).
DI: Younger brother or younger male friend. Can be used alone or as an honorific.
DIDI: Younger brother or a younger male friend. Casual.
XIAO-DI: Does not mean “little brother”, and instead refers to one’s lackey or subordinate, someone a leader took under their wings.
GE: Older brother or older male friend.
GEGE: Older brother or an older male friend. Casual and has a cutesier feel than “ge,” so it can be used in a flirtatious manner.
JIE: Older sister or older female friend. Can be used alone or as an honorific.
JIEJIE: Older sister or an unrelated older female friend. Casual.
JIUJIU: Uncle (maternal, biological).
MEI: Younger sister or younger female friend. Can be used alone or as an honorific.
MEIMEI: Younger sister or an unrelated younger female friend. Casual.
SHUFU: Uncle (paternal, biological) Formal address for one’s father’s younger brother.
SHUSHU: An affectionate version of “Shufu.”
XIAO-SHU OR XIAO-SHUSHU: Little (paternal) uncle; affectionate.
XIONG: Older brother. Generally used as an honorific. Formal, but also used informally between male friends of equal status.
XIONGZHANG: Eldest brother. Very formal, blood related-only.
XIANSHENG: Historically “teacher,” but modern usage is “Mister.” Also an affectionate way for wives to refer to their husband.
If multiple relatives in the same category are present (multiple older brothers, for example), everyone is assigned a number in order of birthdate, starting with the eldest as number one, the second oldest as number two, etc. These numbers are then used to differentiate one person from another. This goes for all of the categories above, whether it’s siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and so on.
EXAMPLES: If you have three older brothers, the oldest would be referred to as “da-ge,” the second oldest “er-ge,” and the third oldest “san-ge.” If you have two younger brothers you (as the oldest) would be number one. Your second-youngest brother would be “er-di,” and the youngest of your two younger brothers would be “san-di.”
Cultivation and Martial Arts
GENERAL
GONGZI: Young master of an affluent household
-JUN: A suffix meaning “lord.”
-QIANBEI: A respectful suffix for someone older, more experienced, and/or more skilled in a particular discipline. Not to be used for blood relatives.
-ZUN: A suffix meaning “esteemed, venerable.” More respectful than “-jun.”
SECTS
SHIDI: Younger martial brother. For junior male members of one’s own sect.
SHIFU: Teacher/master. For one’s master in one’s own sect. Gender neutral. Mostly interchangeable with Shizun, but has a slightly less formal feel.
SHIJIE: Older martial sister. For senior female members of one’s own sect.
SHIMEI: Younger martial sister. For junior female members of one’s own sect.
SHINIANG: The wife of a shifu/shizun.
SHISHU: The younger martial sibling of one’s master. Can be male or female.
SHIXIONG: Older martial brother. For senior male members of one’s own sect.
SHIZUN: Honorific address (as opposed to shifu) of one’s teacher/master.
Cultivators and Immortals
DAOREN: “Cultivator.”
DAOZHANG: A polite address for cultivators. Equivalent to “Mr. Cultivator.” Can be used alone as a title or attached to someone’s name
EXAMPLE: referring to Xiao Xingchen as “Daozhang” or “Xiao Xingchen-daozhang.”
SANREN: “Scattered One.” For cultivators/immortals who are not tied to a specific sect.