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→Origins of Names
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Modern Chinese names consist of a family name (xìngshì; 姓氏), which comes first and is usually but not always monosyllabic, followed by a given name (míng; 名), which is almost always disyllabic, consisting of two characters. Prior to the 21st century, most educated Chinese men also utilized a "courtesy name" or "style name" (zì; 字) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends. Respected artists or poets will sometimes also use a professional "art name" (hào; 號) among their social peers.<ref>"Chinese name", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_name, accesed 5 March 2021.</ref> | Modern Chinese names consist of a family name (xìngshì; 姓氏), which comes first and is usually but not always monosyllabic, followed by a given name (míng; 名), which is almost always disyllabic, consisting of two characters. Prior to the 21st century, most educated Chinese men also utilized a "courtesy name" or "style name" (zì; 字) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends. Respected artists or poets will sometimes also use a professional "art name" (hào; 號) among their social peers.<ref>"Chinese name", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_name, accesed 5 March 2021.</ref> | ||
===Origins of Names === | ===Origins of Names === | ||
According to Mr. Kiang Kang Hu, author of the book '' | According to Mr. Kiang Kang Hu, author of the book ''Genealogy and origin of Chinese family names'', there were 18 sources from which surnames were derived: <ref>Kiang Kang Hu. "Genealogy and origin of Chinese family names." {{WorldCat|866144264|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}</ref> | ||
*The name of a dynasty (Tang) | *The name of a dynasty (Tang) | ||