克
kè
Meaning
overcome, conquer, achieve
Five Elements
wood
Gender
Male
Strokes
7
Meaning & Cultural Context
克 is an ancient character with roots in oracle bone inscriptions, originally meaning 'to be able' or 'capable.' In classical Chinese literature and historical texts, it came to represent overcoming obstacles, conquering difficulties, and achieving goals through determination. The character appears prominently in compound words like 克服 (overcome), 攻克 (capture/achieve), and 克制 (restrain), reflecting its deep cultural significance in Chinese philosophy about perseverance and self-mastery.
Using in Chinese Names
Chinese parents often choose 克 for sons when they wish to instill qualities of determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome life's challenges. The character conveys strong aspirations for success and the willpower to achieve one's goals. It is frequently combined with other characters to create names that emphasize strength, achievement, and perseverance—common pairings include 克明 (ke-ming: clear-sighted and capable), 克勇 (ke-yong: brave and conquering), and 克强 (ke-qiang: strong and overcoming).
Personality & Impression
The character suggests someone with a strong will, persistent determination, and the inner strength to overcome obstacles. It implies a person who is ambitious, disciplined, and capable of achieving difficult goals through perseverance.
For Foreigners
Pronounced 'kè' (rhymes with 'duh'), this character is straightforward to write with seven strokes. For non-Chinese people, using 克 in a name conveys powerful, masculine energy and a sense of determination that is easily understood across cultures.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 克:
overcome, conquer, achieve, unity, singular, whole
modern, modern
overcome, conquer, achieve, strong, vigorous, tiny
modern, traditional
overcome, conquer, achieve, arrive, overlook
modern, traditional
overcome, conquer, achieve, cinnabar red, devoted heart
modern, traditional
overcome, conquer, achieve, righteousness, loyalty
modern, traditional
overcome, conquer, achieve, great, mighty, magnificent
modern, modern
overcome, conquer, achieve, bless, protect
modern, traditional
overcome, conquer, achieve, talented, handsome, brilliant
modern, traditional
Build a Chinese Name With 克
If you like the character 克 (kè - overcome, conquer, achieve), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 克