乌
wū
Meaning
crow; black; dark
Five Elements
fire
Gender
Unisex
Strokes
4
Meaning & Cultural Context
In Chinese mythology, the three-legged crow (三足乌) is a sacred creature dwelling in the sun, symbolizing cosmic energy and divine messengers. The character also represents black and darkness, appearing in classical poetry to describe night, shadows, and the mysterious. In ancient texts, 乌 served as an elegant literary device, with 乌乎 becoming a mournful exclamation meaning 'alas.'
Using in Chinese Names
Parents choosing 乌 for names often seek to convey depth, mystery, and inner strength—the quiet power of the crow that soars above. It appears in both given names and surnames, sometimes combined with positive characters to balance its dark associations. The character works well in compound names where it suggests someone with hidden wisdom and quiet charisma.
Personality & Impression
This character suggests a person of depth and introspection—someone who possesses inner wisdom, mysterious charm, and the quiet confidence to navigate life's shadows. They may be introspective, perceptive, and possess a strong sense of integrity.
For Foreigners
While 乌 is not among the most common name characters, it offers a distinctive and memorable choice. The pronunciation 'woo' is straightforward for English speakers, though be aware some may initially misread it as '鸟' (niǎo, bird) due to visual similarity.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 乌:
crow; black; dark, unity, singular, whole
modern, modern
crow; black; dark, abundant, fruitful, plentiful
modern, traditional
crow; black; dark, well-behaved, cute, obedient
modern
crow; black; dark, second, Asia, dignified
modern, modern
crow; black; dark, also, likewise (literary)
modern, poetic
crow; black; dark, by means of (classical)
modern, modern
crow; black; dark, great, mighty, magnificent
modern, modern
crow; black; dark, bless, protect
modern, traditional
Build a Chinese Name With 乌
If you like the character 乌 (wū - crow; black; dark), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 乌