茂
mào
Meaning
flourishing, luxuriant
Five Elements
wood
Gender
Male
Strokes
8
Meaning & Cultural Context
茂 originally depicted lush, thriving vegetation - grass and plants growing abundantly in nature. In classical Chinese literature and the Yijing (I Ching), the character appears in contexts describing natural prosperity and vigorous growth. The grass radical (艹) combined with the cyclical character 戊 creates a visual representation of abundant life force.
Using in Chinese Names
Chinese parents frequently choose 茂 for masculine names to wish their sons a life of flourishing success, abundant blessings, and strong vitality. It conveys deep aspirations for the child to thrive in career, health, and personal growth - essentially a wish for them to 'grow strong like the lush grass.' The character pairs beautifully with characters like 盛 (shèng - prosperity), 林 (lín - forest), or 志 (zhì - ambition).
Personality & Impression
This character suggests someone with natural vitality, strong growth potential, and an ability to flourish in any environment - a person who embodies resilience and abundant energy.
For Foreigners
Pronounce it as 'mao' with a falling tone (mào). The meaning is entirely positive - no negative associations - making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a Chinese name with strong, auspicious connotations.
Style & Personality
Popular Name Combinations
Common two-character names that include 茂:
flourishing, luxuriant, unity, singular, whole
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, strong, vigorous, tiny
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, arrive, overlook
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, righteousness, loyalty
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, great, mighty, magnificent
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, bless, protect
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, overcome, conquer, achieve
traditional, nature
flourishing, luxuriant, strong, unyielding
traditional, nature
Build a Chinese Name With 茂
If you like the character 茂 (mào - flourishing, luxuriant), you can use it as the starting point for a personalized Chinese name.
Create My Chinese Name with 茂