In fact, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, except for the Kong family, most clans were also named according to their generation, and the generation of characters was of great significance to the clan. Of course, nowadays, not only other families, but also the Kong family also choose names that do not follow the alphabetical order.
Kong's strict calligraphy style originated from the early Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang gave Kong his 10 characters: Xi Yan Gong Yan Cheng, Hong (Hong) Wen Zhen Shang Yin (Yan) (the brackets were changed to avoid taboos) , Hong was changed to avoid Hongli of Qianlong, and Yin was changed to avoid Yongzheng's taboo). It is stipulated that from the fifty-sixth generation onwards, the Kong family must be named according to the Zi family, and the "Notice of the Kong Family's Generations" was promulgated: "...Today, according to The auspicious characters are listed below, and all members of our clan should follow the listed ranks and take names and instructions. Anyone who does not follow the lineage and names at will will not be allowed to enter the genealogy." From then on, during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor gave it 10. The words: Xingyu Chuan Jiguang, Zhaoxian Qingfanxiang, in the 19th year of Daoguang (1839), 10 words were given by the emperor: Order Dewei to bless you, Qin Shao Nian to be prominent. In the ninth year of the Republic of China (1920), the 76th generation of Confucius, Kong Lingyi, the 76th generation Shenggong, submitted a 20-word report to the Beiyang government for approval: build roads to ensure stability, build roads to promote Yi Chang, bring prosperity and prosperity to Jingrui, and promote prosperity in the history of Yongxi.
But other families also stipulate that they must follow the Zi School when naming. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, most clans attached great importance to the Zi School. As a tool for clan integration, some clans even had rigid rules on naming. It must be based on generation, such as Liuyang Zhong's family's genealogy. "In the past, our family's genealogy was not re-edited. Each family was ranked according to their relatives. People can't draw the same clan. How can they differentiate between superiority and inferiority and determine Zhao Mu? Now the new genealogy is compiled. I would like to take the four characters that do not violate taboos and compile them into rhymes. They will always be ranked among our clans. When we meet, we will ask each other, which one is the most honorable? For Mu, everything is in order."
Of course, this does not mean that all clans are named according to their clan names. There will also be some clans that have not been fully integrated, or clans that have been integrated but a certain clan has the imperial examination. The use of characters is ignored due to privileges such as fame and fame, but generally they are based on characters.