生
shēng
Meaning
life, to be born, raw
Five Elements
wood
Gender
Unisex
Strokes
5
Meaning & Cultural Context
生 is one of the most fundamental characters in Chinese, representing life, birth, and vitality. It appears in classical philosophy as a symbol of the creative, generative force of nature and the yang energy. In the I Ching (Book of Changes), it represents the continuous cycle of renewal and growth.
Using in Chinese Names
Chinese parents often choose 生 in names to wish their children vitality, health, and a full life. It's particularly popular for its association with growth, prosperity, and fresh beginnings. The character conveys deep hopes for the child to have a vibrant, successful life full of potential and opportunity.
Personality & Impression
Someone named with 生 tends to be seen as dynamic, creative, and full of life energy. The character suggests natural vitality, adaptability, and a zest for new experiences and challenges.
For Foreigners
For non-Chinese people, 生 simply means "life" or "to be born" - it's a universally positive, auspicious character. It's commonly used in male names but works for any gender. The pronunciation "shēng" also sounds like the word for "to succeed" in some contexts, which is considered fortunate.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 生:
life, to be born, raw, talented, handsome, brilliant
traditional, traditional
life, to be born, raw, light, glory
traditional, traditional
life, to be born, raw, outstanding, eminent
traditional, traditional
life, to be born, raw, ink, scholarly artistry
traditional, poetic
life, to be born, raw, extraordinary, wondrous
traditional, modern
life, to be born, raw, grand, radiant
traditional, traditional
life, to be born, raw, clever, skilful, ingenious
traditional, modern
life, to be born, raw, colorful, brilliant
traditional, modern
Build a Chinese Name With 生
If you like the character 生 (shēng - life, to be born, raw), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 生