丁
dīng
Meaning
strong, vigorous, tiny
Five Elements
fire
Gender
Male
Strokes
2
Meaning & Cultural Context
丁 is one of the oldest Chinese characters, originally depicting a nail or metal peg driven into wood—symbolizing firmness and steadfastness. In classical Chinese, it also served as a measure word for people or things, representing the individual within the collective. The character appears in ancient texts as both a surname and a symbol of sturdy, unyielding character.
Using in Chinese Names
Chinese parents choose 丁 for names hoping to imbue their children with strength, resilience, and a solid foundation in life. The character conveys aspirations of becoming someone dependable and unshakeable, like an iron nail firmly set in place. Its association with the fire element adds qualities of passion, energy, and dynamic vitality.
Personality & Impression
A person named with 丁 tends to be determined, reliable, and possessing inner strength that others can count on. They often display a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to life with steady perseverance through challenges.
For Foreigners
丁 is one of China's top 100 surnames, so if you meet someone with this character in their name, it may well be their family name. The character is extremely simple to write—just two strokes—making it easy for foreigners to recognize and remember.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 丁:
strong, vigorous, tiny, unity, singular, whole
traditional, modern
strong, vigorous, tiny, unity, singular, whole
traditional, modern
Build a Chinese Name With 丁
If you like the character 丁 (dīng - strong, vigorous, tiny), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 丁