China has a long and fascinating history, as well as some fantastic four-footers who trace their roots to the nation.
Whether you have a Chinese dog breed like a Shar-pei or want to pay homage to your Chinese heritage, a Chinese dog name is an excellent choice.
Below, we’ll share some of our favorite Chinese dog names for your pooch. We’ll also dig into some of the most common Chinese dog breeds that are bound to steal your heart.
Chinese Boy Dog Names
If you have a bodacious boy at home, here are some Chinese boy dog names that are perfect for your four-footer.
Each name is paired with a rough translation so that you can make sure the meaning matches up perfectly with your pup. Make sure you check them out, as Chinese names have some cool meanings.
- Ah (Chinese character)
- Aiguo (Patriotic)
- Bambang (Soldier)
- Bo (Ocean wave)
- Chao (Leap over)
- Cheng (Complete)
- Cheung (Fortunate)
- Chin (Gold, wealth)
- Chun (Spring season)
- Chung (Conscientiousness)
- Da (Accomplishing)
- Dao (Path)
- Dingxiang (Stable fortune)
- Dong (East)
- Fu (Wealthy)
- Guanting (Court crown)
- Guanyu (House crown)
- Guo (Country)
- Hao (Marquis)
- Ho (Together)
- Huang (Brightness)
- Ji (Record)
- Jia (Home)
- Jiahao (Home hero)
- Jiang (River)
- Jianhong (Build vastly)
- Ji-Hun (Wise)
- Jing (Quiet)
- Ju-Long (Dragon power)
- Junjie (Handsome and outstanding)
- Kai (Victorious)
- Kang (Healthy)
- Laquan (Spring)
- Lei (Stones)
- Liko (Blessed)
- Lim (Forest)
- Ling (Spirit)
- Long (Dragon)
- Manchu (Pure)
- Minsheng (People’s voice)
- Mu (Admired)
- Nao (Button)
- Qiang (Strong)
- Ru (Scholar)
- Shan (Mountain)
- Shi (Time)
- Song (Descendant)
- Tao (Large waves)
- Wei (Power)
- Wen (Writing)
- Wenyan (Refined)
- Wu (Military)
- Xiang (Glide)
- Xinyi (Happy)
- Xun (Snow)
- Yahui (Elegant favor)
- Yijun (Joyful king)
- Yin (Money)
- Yingzi (Shadow)
- Yong (Brave)
- Yuze (Rain)
- Zedong (Eastern grace)
- Zhihao (Brave ambition)
- Zhong (Middle)
- Zhou (Boat)
Chinese Girl Dog Names
If you have a good girl at home, one of these meaningful Chinese female dog names is bound to suit her personality.
- Ah-lam (Orchid)
- Bao (Jewel)
- Bi (Green jade)
- Chang (Prosperous)
- Chang-chang (Prosperous)
- Chang Pu (Prosperous reed)
- Chen (Dawn)
- Chi (Pond)
- Chu (To store)
- Da-Xia (Big hero)
- De (Virtuous)
- Gen (To follow)
- Fang (Beautiful)
- Guiying (Laurel petal)
- Hǎi (Sea)
- Heng (Constant)
- Hua (Flower)
- Huan (Happiness)
- Hui (Wise)
- Huiqing (Affectionate)
- Hui-ying (Smart)
- Jian (Strong)
- Jiao (Fine)
- Kun (Earth)
- Lai (Rely on)
- Lan (Elegant)
- Lee (Plum)
- Lí (Capable)
- Lian (Water lily)
- Lin (Beautiful jade)
- Mei (Beautiful)
- Mei-hui (Beautiful wisdom)
- Meilin (Beautiful forest)
- Meiling (Beautiful age)
- Mei Mei (Beautiful)
- Mey (Beautiful)
- Meyli (Beautiful)
- Ming (Bright)
- Mu (Admired)
- Nà (Graceful)
- Nuo (Promise)
- Nuwa (Goddess)
- Qiu (Autumn)
- Quon (Bright)
- Rong (Harmonize)
- Shu (Warm-hearted)
- Shuang (Bright)
- Shufen (Good)
- Shui (Water)
- Shun (Obey)
- Sying (Star)
- Tangtang (Grand)
- Wang Li (Beautiful monarch)
- Xià (Summer)
- Xiuying (Elegant flower)
- Yaling (Elegant jade)
- Yang (Ocean)
- Yawen (Graceful clouds)
- Yinuo (Promise)
- Yu (Jade)
- Yue (Moon)
- Yuming (Bright jade)
- Zhenzhen (Precious)
- Zhi (Ambition)
- Zi (Beautiful)
Chinese Names About Personality Traits
Looking for a Chinese dog name to capture your pup’s unique personality? Here a few Chinese words with temperament-themed names to give your pooch a name he’s earned.
- Ai (Loving)
- An (Peace)
- Chang (Thriving)
- Chong (Powerful)
- Deli (Virtuous)
- Fèi (Bark)
- Gan (Bold)
- Gang (Strong)
- Gui (Expensive, fancy)
- Heng (Persistant)
- Hou (Noble)
- Hudie (Butterfly)
- Jie (Heroic)
- Jìngyi (Quiet joy)
- Kuài (Fast)
- Kuàile (Happy)
- Ken-Zhi (Earnest)
- Liang (Good)
- Lok (Happiness)
- Màn (Slow)
- Máng (Busy)
- Min (Clever)
- Ning (Peaceful)
- Nuan (Warm, friendly)
- Ping (Peaceful)
- Shilin (Smart)
- Shu (Good)
- Shu-hui (Intelligent)
- Su (Respectful)
- Susu (Quiet)
- Xiu (Elegant)
- Xiulan (Elegant orchid)
- Xue (Studious)
- Ya (Graceful)
- Yi (Proper)
- Yǒuyìsi (Interesting)
- Zan (Help)
- Zhen (Rare)
- Zheng (Proper)
Chinese Names About a Dog’s Appearance
Perhaps you want to take a more literal approach for naming your dog. If that’s the case, check out these Chinese dog names that relate to your dog’s appearance.
- Bān (Spotted)
- Dian (Spot)
- Fēngmǎn (Plump)
- Hǎokàn (Good-looking)
- Jù (Enormous)
- Juan (Beautiful)
- Juǎnqū (Curly)
- Jun (Handsome)
- Kěài (Cute)
- Pei (Match)
- Piàoliàng (Gorgeous)
- Tiáowén (Stripe)
- Xiǎo de (Small)
- Xin (Beautiful)
- Yan (Beautiful)
- Yating (Elegant)
- Yazhu (Elegant build)
- Yun (Cloud)
Color Based Chinese Dog Names
Whether your pooch has a Crayola-like coat or just a colorful personality, you can’t go wrong with one of these color-based Chinese dog names.
- Bái sè (White)
- Baojin (Precious gold)
- Chéng sè (Orange)
- Fěnsè de (Pink)
- Hēi Sè (Black)
- Hong (Rainbow)
- Hóng Sè (Red)
- Huáng sè (Yellow)
- Huī sè (Gray)
- Jin (Gold)
- Jīnzi (Gold)
- Kāfēi sè (Brown)
- Lán sè (Blue)
- Lǜ sè (Green)
- Xuě (Snow)
- Yánsè (Color)
- Yín sè (Silver)
- Zǐ sè (Purple)
Names Inspired by Famous Chinese Figures
China has a history rich in awesome humans to name your pooch after. Check out these awesome names that may fit your furry friend.
- Angelababy (Model)
- Bingbing (Actress Fan Bingbing)
- Bruce (Bruce Lee, actor and martial artist)
- Cixi (Empress Dowager Cixi)
- Chloé (Director Chloé Zhao)
- Confucius (Philosopher)
- Dilraba (Actress Dilraba Dilmurat)
- Jackie (Jackie Chan, actor and stuntman)
- Jet Li (Actor and stuntman)
- Jimmy O. (Actor Jimmy O. Yang)
- Kao (Charles Kao, inventor)
- Kris Wu (Actor)
- Lao Tzu (Philosopher)
- Ming-Na (Ming-Na Wen, actress)
- Qin Shi (Emperor Qin Shi Huang)
- Ren (Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei)
- Simu (Simu Liu, actor)
- Vera (Vera Wang, designer)
- Yao Ming (Basketball player)
- Yifei (Actress Liu Yifei)
- Yip (Yip Man, martial artist)
Famous Chinese Figures and Characters Dog Names
Here are some dog names inspired by famous Chinese figures and characters from film and mythology. This way, you can name your hound after your favorite Chinese hero.
- Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Cāngjié (Four-eyed mythological being)
- Chang’e (Moon goddess)
- Cri-Kee (Mulan)
- Da Yu (Mythological figure)
- Dilong (Legendary dragon)
- Fusang (Tree in Chinese mythology)
- Hou Yi (Mythological archer)
- Hundun (Faceless mythological being)
- Jiangshi (Vampire creature)
- Jingwei (Mythological bird)
- Jiǔwěihú (Mythic nine-tailed fox)
- Khan (Mulan)
- Kui (Mythic being)
- Li Shang (Mulan)
- Magu (Mythological protector of women)
- Mazu (Sea goddess)
- Mulan (Mulan)
- Mushu (Mulan)
- Nezha (Protection deity)
- Nian (Fearsome dragon)
- Nüba (Drought deity)
- Nüwa (Mother goddess)
- Pangu (Creation figure in Chinese mythology)
- Panhu (Heroic mythical dog)
- Pixiu (Mythic winged lions)
- Shang-Chi (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
- Shangdi (Mighty being in Chinese mythology)
- Sha-Ron (Mulan)
- Suiren (Mythic being associated with fire)
- Taotie (Mythological evil being)
- Teng (Legendary flying dragon)
- Tiangou (Mythic dog responsible for eclipses)
Silly Chinese Dog Names
If you have a canine comedian at home, one of these silly Chinese dog names is the perfect pick.
- Boba
- Bok Choy
- Chopsticks
- Dumpling
- Fen (Perfume)
- Gong Gong (Sea monster)
- Kung Fu
- Nǎiniú (Cow)
- Panda
- Pengsong (Fluffy)
- Ping Pong
- Shuìjiào (Sleep)
- Tofu
- Tufei (Bandit)
- Ushi (Ox)
- Yīng’ér (Baby)
- Yuzu
- Zhū (Pig)
Chinese Place Names for Dogs
If you travel around China, you’ll find incredible namespiration in all the sites and cities.
- Anqing: A large, centrally-located city
- Ashi: A river located near the city of Harbin
- Beijing: China’s capital city
- Bengbu: A city with a booming pearl industry
- Bozhou: A small but developing city
- Canton: A mega-tall tower in Guangzhou
- Changsha: A central city sometimes called “Star City”
- Chimelong: Chimelong Paradise is a popular theme park
- Chongqing: A southwestern city
- Dianchi: A large green-blue lake
- Emei: A sacred mountain in central China
- Erhai: An alpine lake
- Everest: The tallest mountain in the world sits on the border of China and Nepal
- Gobi: A vast desert
- Harbin: A city popular with winter travelers, home to a world-famous ice festival
- Houhai: A lake popular with tourists in Beijing
- Hua: A dangerous hiking trail and mountain peak
- Jinan: A large city and transportation hub
- Jinsha: A museum that houses countless ancient artifacts
- Lama: A beautiful temple in Beijing
- Leshan: A giant Buddha carving
- Linzhi: A dense Tibetan forest
- Longhu: A mountain with numerous temples
- Ludi: Ludi Yan is a popular cave destination
- Macau: A densely-populated southern city
- Makalu: A mountain that borders China and Nepal
- Mogao: A series of caves featuring ancient carvings
- Mudan: A river whose name means “peony”
- Nanjing: A large city rich in history (also a road/famous shopping destination in Shanghai)
- Ningbo: A city rich in culture and industry
- Potatso: A massive national park
- Putuo: A mountain located on an island off of the Chinese coast
- Qilian: A northern mountain range
- Qinghai: The largest lake in China
- Shanghai: One of the most populous cities in the world
- Shenzhen: A major city and economic hub
- Tai: A gorgeous mountain near Tai’an
- Taihu: One of the largest lakes in China
- Terracotta: The Terracotta Warriors are a popular tourist attraction
- Tiananmen: A massive square in Beijing
- Tianjin: A northern city
- Tianzi: A sharp-peaked mountain
- Tibet: A region of China, known as “The Roof of the World”
- Ussuri: A river that runs through Russia and China
- Wutai: A northern mountain
- Wuyi: A gorgeous mountain range
- Yangtze: The third longest river in the world
- Zhangye: Zhangye Danxia National Park is home to the famous rainbow mountains
- Zibo: A major manufacturing city with a rich cultural scene
- Zijin: A mountain peak, also known as Purple Mountain
Chinese Dog Names Inspired by Cuisine
Chinese cuisine isn’t just good for eating; it’s also a great source of cute dog names!
- Chop Suey: This Chinese-American dish features finely chopped meat and veggies.
- Dim Sum: These small snack dishes are usually eaten alongside tea.
- Hot Pot: Perfect for family gatherings, this dish features a simmering pot of tasty broth at the center of a table. Diners dip meats and veggies in for cooking to their preferred doneness and enjoy.
- Kung Pao: This Sichuan-style dish features chopped chicken, chilis, peanuts, and vegetables.
- Lo Mein: This popular style of noodle is a Chinese takeout staple stateside.
- Mooncake: These tasty desserts are eaten in celebration of the moon.
- Moo Shu: This means “shredded pork.”
- Wonton: These thinly-wrapped dumplings often appear in soup.
- Youtiao: Primarily served as a sidewalk snack, this fried dough is a delicious dessert.
More Chinese-Themed Dog Names
There are countless words and objects associated with China that make awesome names. Here are some of our favorites.
- Bamboo
- BaoBei (Treasured item)
- Camellia (A beloved type of beautiful flower)
- Chili
- Dragon
- Enoki (Type of mushroom)
- Feng Shui
- Firework
- Fu (Blessing)
- Fǔzhú (Bean curd sticks)
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Goji (Type of berry)
- Hanfu (Traditional clothing)
- Hoisin
- Jasmine
- Lotus
- Mahjong
- Mandarin
- Mirin
- Monsoon
- Noodle
- Oolong
- Peppercorn
- Rice
- Scallion
- Sesame
- Silk
- Silkie (A type of chicken)
- Soy
- Star Anise
- Tai Chi
- Tamari
- Tatsoi
- Typhoon (Powerful storm)
- Wok (A special type of pan for cooking)
- Wushu
- Zen
- Zodiac
Chinese Dog Breeds
Here are some of the most common Chinese dog breeds. These historic hounds have been around for centuries and make amazing canine companions for the right families.
Pekingese
These compact cuties are some of the most popular breeds in China and were revered as canine royalty in the 8th century.
Pekingnese pups originally served as royal canine companions but now serve as loyal, affectionate furry friends to any loving home. These sweet dogs are bound to win you over with their miniature lion-like mane.
Pug
Pugs (and most pug mixes) have a sweet, friendly personality that pairs well with their adorable looks. These dogs are thought to originate from China originally as companions to Buddhist monks.
The adaptable pug wants nothing more than to spend time with his family.
Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is known for his distinctively wrinkled appearance and a blue-black tongue. While the Shar-Pei might be a little aloof around strangers, he is incredibly loyal to his family.
This reserved pooch can be pretty independent, but he always finds time to reconnect with the people he loves most.
Shih-Tzu
These compact cuties were once regarded as the perfect royal lap dog. The breed name comes from the Chinese word for “lion”, and it’s easy to see why. Though these toy dogs are incredibly affectionate and gentle, they definitely pack quite a personality for their small size.
Chow Chow
This ancient fluffy breed have distinctive blue-black spots on their tongues (and many have almost completely blue-black tongues) and a dignified demeanor. These dogs originally served as guard dogs making them super loyal and sometimes aloof around strangers. These independent dogs do best with experienced owners who understand their unique personalities.
Japanese Chin
Despite the name, some dog historians believe that this cuddly companion originated from China. Regardless, these calm, affectionate dogs are sure to steal your heart. These pint-sized pups make excellent and loyal lapdogs.
Xiasi Quan
These ancient dogs have a white, wiry coat paired with a lean muscular body well-suited for hunting. Though rare, these pups make amazing watchdogs and are super loyal to their owners. The tireless Xiasi Quan requires frequent exercise and playtime to feel his best.
Chinese Crested
These affectionate dogs make excellent canine companions. Available as hairless dogs or with more traditional-looking coats, Chinese Crested dogs make amazing family dogs as they are very loving and alert. Just be aware: These playful pups are happiest when following their owners from room to room.
Chinese Chongqing
These muscular, hunting hounds have modest yet noticeable wrinkles similar to that of the Shar-Pei. The Chinese Chongqing is super loyal, though needs to be properly socialized to interact appropriately with strangers. These dogs do best with experienced owners due to their sometimes territorial tendencies.
Tibetan Terrier
This ancient watchdog is super loyal and loves spending time with his family. The Tibetan Terrier is a great companion who will likely dole out unlimited kisses. This shaggy dog isn’t actually a terrier, but their small-medium size makes them super adaptable for a variety of home environments.
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Did we miss any good Chinese names for dogs? Let us know your favorite Chinese dog name in the comments below!
Need some more name ideas inspired by foreign countries and languages? Check out these articles:
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