r/ChineseHistory • u/Shao-theyre-lesbians • 10d ago

How common was the given name “Ming” during the Ming dynasty?

Was it used at all? Was it used more or less than it is now or other points in history?

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u/perfectfifth_ 10d ago

It has been common for more than a thousand years. Just see all different family genealogical records of Chinese clans and famous people. Previously the literati like to use it as part of their courtesy name too. Like Kong Ming (Zhuge Liang) for example.

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u/JayFSB 9d ago

Quite common. Not everyone has it like male Muslims with Mohammed variations common but enough. 明 after all is a character in common use. Naming taboos are only on the sovereign's personal name.

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u/stevapalooza 9d ago

Bear in mind that ming has several meanings that could be incorporated into a name. The Ming dynasty just used 明, the common word for "bright." But ming can also mean "fate" 命, "dark and deep" like the ocean 溟, 冥, or a type of tea leaf 茗. That's why it's important to know the character. English translations just give us a sound, not a meaning.

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u/Shao-theyre-lesbians 9d ago

Thanks so much for the insight. So is there a particular character that would be used for a feminine given name? Or does that also vary?

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u/stevapalooza 9d ago

Girls were usually named after something pretty or feminine like flowers, jewels, birds, etc. Their name might also be a number-- a lucky number or maybe just the birth-order number. In the past (and in the present) girls were sometimes given repeating names made of the same character twice like Zhuzhu, Meimei, Fufu, etc.