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Learn all about Cantonese Names

Do you want to know how to write your name in Cantonese?

We’ll be honest with you—one of the questions we get asked the most on CantoneseClass101 is on — yes, you guessed it — names. The most frequently asked questions include:

  • “How do you write an English name in Cantonese?”
  • “Is it possible to make a nickname up and ask native Cantonese speakers to use it?”
  • “Are there any Cantonese names that sound like English names?”

For those who want to have their name in Cantonese, we have made it simple for you to write your name today. Yes, today! This post is your one-stop guide regarding Cantonese names!
 

Ask Us How to Write Your Name in Cantonese!

Write your name in Cantonese!

Want to know how to write your name in Cantonese? Just ask us! We’ll write your name in Cantonese.

  • Write your name in the English alphabet. Our Cantonese teachers might not speak your language :’(
  • If your name is pronounced differently from the spelling, please let us know the pronunciation.

How can you ask? First, log in to CantoneseClass101. Then, simply leave a comment on this page.
 

 

Related Lessons

Everyday Cantonese
Everyday Cantonese
 
Introduction to Cantonese
Introduction Series
 
Cantonese Pronunciation
Pronunciation Series
 
Learn Cantonese in Three Minutes
Cantonese in 3 Minutes
 

Table of Contents

  1. How to Write Your Name in Cantonese
  2. How to Make Up Your Cantonese Nickname
  3. Related Lessons

 

1. How to Write Your Name in Cantonese

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Hong Kong people use Chinese characters to write English names in Cantonese writing. There are two ways to make your Cantonese name. The traditional way is making your name based on the meaning. If your name has any special meaning behind it, you can choose the Chinese characters meaning the same and place them each other.

Or, you can take out the sound of Chinese characters and make your Cantonese name that sounds similar to your English name.

For example, if your name is “Daniel,” you can break it down into three syllable. Da, Ni, El. Then, find a Cantonese character that sounds similar to each syllabe. 丹 (daan1,) 尼 (nei4,) and 爾 (ji5.) Lastly, place them together as in 丹尼爾 (daan1 nei4 yi5) for “Daniel.”

Here are some English names in Chinese characters.

  • Noah (諾亞 nok6 aa3)
  • Jacob (雅各 nga5 gok3)
  • Michael (米高 mai5 gou1)
  • Daniel (丹尼爾 daan1 nei4 ji5)
  • Jennifer (珍妮花 zan1 nei4 faa1)
  • George (佐治 zo2 zi6)
  • Thomas (湯瑪斯 tong1 maa5 si1)
  • Kimberly (金佰利 gam1 baak3 lei6)

If you cannot find your name on this list or want to make your name in Cantonese characters by yourself, here’s our audio series for you. Check out Cantonese Pronunciation Series and learn the basic Chinese characters and their pronunciation. This will help you learn basic Chinese characters and start writing your name in Cantonese by yourself!

 

2. How to Make Up Your Cantonese Nickname

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How to Make Up Your Cantonese Name
 

If you want to have your own Cantonese name that sounds like a typical name that any native speaker could read and understand without problems, don’t worry.

Here’s a list of Cantonese names hand-picked by our team. Pick the one that you like and use it as your Cantonese name.

 

A. Cantonese First Names

- a. Cantonese Female Names

  • 嘉欣 (gaa1 jan1)
  • 小儀 (siu2 ji4)
  • 小芬 (siu2 fan1)
  • 心悠 (sam1 jau4)
  • 敏之 (man5 zi1)
  • 祖賢 (zou2 jin4)
  • 穎兒 (wing6 ji4)
  • 美薇 (mei5 mei4)

- b. Cantonese Male Names

  • 偉傑 (wai5 git6)
  • 志威 (zi3 wai1)
  • 業生 (jip6 sang1)
  • 家明 (gaa1 ming4)
  • 浩明 (hou6 ming4)
  • 華健 (waa4 ging3)
  • 偉豪 (wai5 hou4)
  • 朝偉 (ciu4 wai5)

B. Cantonese Last Names

For those who want to have your own Cantonese last name too, here’s the list of popular Cantonese last names.

  • 張 (zoeng1)
  • 陳 (can4)
  • 李 (lei5)
  • 王 (wong4)
  • 梁 (loeng4)
  • 周 (zau1)
  • 鄭 (zeng6)
  • 羅 (lo4)
  • 黎 (lai4)
  • 劉 (lau4)

 

3. Related Lessons

Top

Everyday Cantonese
 
Are you an Absolute Beginner to Cantonese? This the easiest video series to start with! In this video series, you’ll learn the must-know Cantonese phrases, verbs, nouns, adjectives and all aspects of Cantonese that any absolute beginner should know. Perfect for learners that want to get acquainted with the top words and phrases in Cantonese.

Go to Everyday Cantonese

 

Introduction to Cantonese
 
Want to learn Cantonese? Don’t know where to start? This is it. The Introduction to Cantonese series is perfect for those who know zero Cantonese but want to take that first step. In this series, you’ll learn all about the Cantonese language, as well as grammar, writing and phrases to get you started.

Go to Introduction Series

 

Cantonese Pronunciation Guide
 
Ready to sound like a native Cantonese speaker? Join us in the Ultimate Cantonese Pronunciation Series! You’ll learn the ins and outs of perfect Cantonese pronunciation. You’ll learn the common mistakes learners make, how to avoid them, and the nuances that only native speakers are aware of.

Go to Pronunciation Guide

 

Cantonese in 3 Minutes
 
Learn the basics you need to be polite while speaking Cantonese. We will take you step-by-step through must-know phrases and explain the grammar and composition. Plus, you’ll get some special tips on how to be extra authentic when interacting with native Cantonese speakers.

Go to 3 Minute Series
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539 Comments
Please to leave a comment.
😄 😞 😳 😁 😒 😎 😠 😆 😅 😜 😉 😭 😇 😴 😮 😈 ❤️️ 👍

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Monday at 08:17 PM
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What's your name? Leave a comment. We'll write your name in the Cantonese alphabet ?

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Thursday at 04:51 PM
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Hi Silvia! 😊


If you're wondering how to say those names in Cantonese, here's a helpful translation:


- Ammie: 阿美 (aa3 mei5)

- Moie: 妹 (mui6)


Keep practicing and you'll be introducing yourselves in Cantonese in no time! 加油！(gaa1 jau2, "Keep it up!")


Let us know if you have any questions.

Team CantoneseClass101.com

silvia
Wednesday at 06:10 PM
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Ammie

and

Moie


Thanks!

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:35 PM
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Hi Steven! 👋


Great question! In Cantonese, "Steven" can be translated as both 史蒂文 (si2 dai6 man4) and 史蒂芬 (si2 dai6 fan1). Both are commonly used, so you can choose the one you prefer! 😊


Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.


多謝! (do1 ze6! "Thank you!")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:35 PM
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Hi Maria!


Thank you for your kind words! 😊 We understand that time can be a constraint, but even a little bit of study can go a long way.


In Cantonese, "Maria" can be spelled as 瑪莉亞 (maa5 lei6 aa3).


Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.


多謝! (do1 ze6! "Thank you!")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:33 PM
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Hi Dennis!


Thanks for reaching out! 😊 Your name in Cantonese can be translated phonetically. "Dennis" can be pronounced as "單尼斯" (daan1 nei4 si1), "Duy" as "德維" (dak1 wai4), and "Dang" as "鄧" (dang6).


If you have any more questions, feel free to let us know.👍


多謝! (do1 ze6! "Thank you!")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:28 PM
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Hi Agustin!


你好！(nei5 hou2! "Hello!") 😊


To say your name in Cantonese, it would be something like "阿古斯丁 大衛 塞爾凡特" (aa3 gu1 si1 ding1 daai6 wai6 coi3 ji5 faan4 te1). Keep in mind that this is a phonetic translation, so it may vary slightly depending on local dialects or personal preferences.


Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.


多謝! (do1 ze6! "Thank you!")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:27 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Nancy!


Nancy 喺廣東話點講呢？(Nancy hai6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2 ne1? "How do you say Nancy in Cantonese?") In Cantonese, names are often transliterated based on pronunciation. "Nancy" can be pronounced as "南茜" (naam4 sai1) or simply "Nancy" with a Cantonese accent.


If you have any questions, please let us know.

多謝! (Do1 ze6! "Thank you!")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:26 PM
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Hi David!


Thanks for your question! 👍


To write "David Andrews" in Cantonese, you can use: 大衛·安德魯斯 (daai6 wai6 · on1 dak1 lou5 si1), which matches the pronunciation closely.


Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any more questions.


多謝 (do1 ze6, "Thank you")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

CantoneseClass101.com Verified
Wednesday at 04:22 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Zoe!


你好！(nei5 hou2! "Hello!") 😊


The Cantonese pronunciation for your name "Zoe Jacques" would be "祖兒·積克" (zou2 ji4 zik1 haak1). Keep in mind that this is a phonetic approximation, and names might be pronounced slightly differently depending on personal preference.


Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.


多謝 (do1 ze6, "Thank you")

Team CantoneseClass101.com

Maria
Wednesday at 02:02 AM
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Love your site, shame I have so little time to study. I'd love to know how to spell my name in Cantonese:


Maria