烈
liè
Meaning
passionate, fierce brilliance
Five Elements
fire
Gender
Male
Strokes
10
Meaning & Cultural Context
In ancient Chinese, 烈 originally described strong wine with intense potency, later evolving to mean fierce, violent, and powerful. The character appears in revered terms like 烈士 (martyr) and 烈女 (chaste woman of honor), carrying connotations of righteous courage and unwavering principle. In classical literature, 烈 often described heroic warriors whose fiery spirit burned brighter than death itself.
Using in Chinese Names
Chinese parents frequently choose 烈 for sons to embody aspirations of boldness, passion, and indomitable spirit. The character conveys a wish for the child to possess fierce determination in pursuing goals and the courage to stand firm in adversity. It pairs powerfully with characters like 军 (military), 勇 (brave), or 豪 (heroic) to create names that evoke a warrior's heart and leadership potential.
Personality & Impression
This character suggests someone with a passionate, intense nature—a natural leader who approaches life with fierce determination and unwavering conviction. The name implies a person who burns with purpose and inspires others through bold action.
For Foreigners
Pronounced "lieh" with a falling tone, this character can be difficult for non-native speakers to master. While it carries universally understood meanings of courage and passion, be aware that in Western contexts it may read as more aggressive or intense than intended.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 烈:
passionate, fierce brilliance, cinnabar red, devoted heart
traditional, traditional
passionate, fierce brilliance, talented, handsome, brilliant
traditional, traditional
passionate, fierce brilliance, overcome, conquer, achieve
traditional, modern
passionate, fierce brilliance, crown, first, best
traditional, traditional
passionate, fierce brilliance, triumphant, victorious music
traditional, modern
passionate, fierce brilliance, strong, unyielding
traditional, traditional
passionate, fierce brilliance, strength, power, capability
traditional, modern
passionate, fierce brilliance, to add, plus; augment
traditional, modern
Build a Chinese Name With 烈
If you like the character 烈 (liè - passionate, fierce brilliance), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 烈