大
dà
Meaning
great, vast, important
Five Elements
earth
Gender
Male
Strokes
3
Meaning & Cultural Context
大 is one of the oldest Chinese characters, appearing in oracle bone inscriptions from over 3,000 years ago. It originally depicted a standing human figure with arms and legs outstretched, representing a fully grown adult—someone big and powerful. In Chinese philosophy, it embodies the concept of greatness and the cosmic principle of the 'Great Ultimate' (太极).
Using in Chinese Names
Parents often choose 大 in names to wish their sons strength, greatness, and a commanding presence. It's frequently combined with other characters to create names meaning 'great warrior,' 'great wisdom,' or 'great ambition.' The character conveys aspirations for the child to become someone significant and influential.
Personality & Impression
People named with 大 tend to be natural leaders with bold, decisive personalities. They often possess strong physical presence and the confidence to take on challenges head-on.
For Foreigners
For non-Chinese people, 大 in a name is typically pronounced 'da' (fourth tone, falling) and carries universally positive connotations of greatness and importance. It's straightforward to pronounce and conveys strength—though be aware it can also mean 'big' or 'large' in everyday contexts.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 大:
great, vast, important, unity, singular, whole
modern, modern
great, vast, important, strong, vigorous, tiny
modern, traditional
great, vast, important, arrive, overlook
modern, traditional
great, vast, important, cinnabar red, devoted heart
modern, traditional
great, vast, important, righteousness, loyalty
modern, traditional
great, vast, important, great, mighty, magnificent
modern, modern
great, vast, important, bless, protect
modern, traditional
great, vast, important, talented, handsome, brilliant
modern, traditional
Build a Chinese Name With 大
If you like the character 大 (dà - great, vast, important), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 大