Don’t Ever Use These 10 Chinese Names – They’re Way Too Tacky!

Hey there, name enthusiasts! If you’re thinking about picking a Chinese name for yourself, your kid, or even just for fun, let me save you from a serious faux pas. Names matter, and in Chinese culture, they carry vibes—some cool, some classy, and some… well, let’s just say they scream “outdated” louder than a flip phone in 2025. I’ve rounded up 10 Chinese names that might’ve been hits back in the day but now feel so tacky they could star in a retro sitcom. Trust me, you’ll want to steer clear of these. Let’s dive in!

1. Cuihua (翠花) Picture this: a grandma in a floral apron yelling across the village. That’s Cuihua. It’s got that old-school rural charm, but it’s not doing you any favors in 2025. Too dated, too cliché.

2. Ergou (二狗) Literally “Second Dog.” Sounds like a nickname you’d give a scrappy kid running around barefoot. It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it’s way too rough around the edges for a proper name today.

3. Jinbao (金宝) “Golden Treasure” might sound sweet, but it’s the kind of name you’d see on a dusty trophy from the ‘80s. It’s trying too hard to be fancy while landing squarely in tacky territory.

4. Xiulan (秀兰) This one peaked around the mid-20th century. It’s got a dainty, feminine vibe, but it feels like it belongs in a black-and-white movie, not a modern Zoom call.

5. Dazhu (大柱) “Big Pillar.” Yes, it’s as sturdy as it sounds—and just as unrefined. It conjures up images of a burly guy hauling logs, not someone you’d vibe with at a coffee shop.

6. Chunfang (春芳) “Spring Fragrance” has a poetic ring, but it’s so old-fashioned it might as well come with a cassette tape. Sweet once, but now it’s a pass.

7. Tiedan (铁蛋) “Iron Egg.” Tough? Sure. Cool? Not anymore. It’s the kind of name that sounds like a playground taunt turned permanent.

8. Guiying (桂英) Think of a heroine in a classic Chinese opera—noble, but stuck in the past. It’s got history, but it’s too theatrical for today’s world.

9. Fugui (福贵) “Fortune and Honor” sounds promising, but it feels like the name of a side character in a grainy old film. Good intentions, bad vibes.

10. Xiaohong (小红) “Little Red.” It’s so basic it hurts. Once upon a time, every other girl was Xiaohong, and that’s exactly why it’s a relic now.

Why Avoid These? Look, I get it—some of these names have nostalgia or sentimental value, especially for older generations. But in today’s fast-moving, urban China, they stick out like a sore thumb. They’re the equivalent of naming your kid “Bertha” or “Earl” in English—technically fine, but practically a time capsule. If you’re aiming for something fresh, meaningful, or stylish, there are tons of modern Chinese names that won’t make people cringe or whisper “so last century” behind your back.

Need a Better Option? If you’re stuck on finding a great Chinese name, I highly recommend checking out https://chinese-name-generator.com. It’s a fantastic tool that generates names with beautiful meanings and can even match the pronunciation of your original name. Give it a try—you’ll end up with something unique, modern, and way less tacky than the list above!

Got a name in mind you’re unsure about? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to help you figure out if it’s a keeper or a clunker. And hey, if you’ve got your own list of tacky names, share ‘em! Let’s keep the naming game fun and fabulous.