In ancient times, early personal names were generally very simple. For example, the personal names left by the Xia and Shang dynasties were named Kongjia, Lugui, Waibing, Yongji, Pangeng, Wuding, Xiaoxin, etc. The names of the stems and branches may be related to the people's concept of paying attention to time at that time. Later, with the advancement of society, the development of language and writing, and the strengthening of consciousness and concepts, people's names became more and more complex, and naming people became a science. When choosing a name, the connotation it contains must be carefully considered and considered repeatedly. "Zuo Zhuan·Huan Gong Sixth Year" records the five principles of naming in the Spring and Autumn Period: "There are five names: trust, righteousness, image, falsehood, and type." This is the answer to Duke Huan's question by Shen Ru, a senior official in the state of Lu. The name was mentioned at the time, which means: either based on the characteristics of the person's birth, or from several aspects such as admiring auspiciousness, supporting objects to symbolize aspirations, praising virtues, and reposing the expectations of the parents. He also put forward seven no’s: “Not based on the country, not based on the official, not based on the mountains and rivers, not based on the hidden diseases, not based on the animals, not based on the tools and coins”.
The ancients’ practice of attaching importance to meaning and connotation in naming has continued to this day for thousands of years. For boys and girls born due to their physiology. Their personalities and the careers they are going to engage in are different, so the names are also different. Men are often named with words that are mighty, brave, wise, strong and perseverant, while women are often named with words that are virtuous, beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.
In addition, naming also reflects the characteristics of the times. The Xia and Shang dynasties mentioned above are a typical example of their preference for using names of stems and branches. Later, in the long-term feudal society, the families of wealthy officials were mostly named after the meanings of loyalty, filial piety, good fortune, longevity, and prosperity, and promotion and wealth. Therefore, they were called benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, trust, blessing, virtue, longevity, and glory. There are particularly many people who are promoted, succeeded to their ancestors, honored their ancestors, and continued their lineage. Ordinary people also want to live a good life and hope to have more children and go to school, so they are called Fugui, Defu, Jincai, Zhixue, Ping'an, Changshun, Mancang, Mancun, Baocheng, Jinsuo, Shuanzhu and other names. Very many.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, many new names appeared, such as Jianguo, Aid Korea, Weiguo, Support the Army, Jianjun, Support Vietnam, Stay in the Soviet Union, Weidong, Red Guard, Cultural Revolution, Study and Work, Support Agriculture, etc. .
Since the opening up, there has been a rise in the use of foreign names. This is undesirable and cannot be promoted.