Names

The Chinese call themselves by the term /yo hsing g IMG:p403_1.png:Chinese characters 'the hundred surnames ' (o£ TToAAoi), and one of the first books a child learns by rote in school ib' the Po chia hsing "g" IMG:p403_2.png:Chinese characters jl4 or Hundred clan names. The names in the book are in fact four hundred and eight single and thirty double names; and there are many more not so often met with and not found in the list. These surnames are all given together in Williams' Dictionary, p. 1242, and in Giles' Dictionary, (especially see 1st ed.). The commonest surnames, corresponding to our Smith, Jones and Robinson are Wang IMG:p403_3.png:Chinese characters Chang Jg, and Li $. While the surnames are thus very limited in number compared with those in the West, the individual may have a number of personal names. At birth he receives a 'milk name,' which is used by his relatives and neighbours. On first going to school another is given him, — the "book name," to be used by his schoolmasters, schoolfellows, officials and in anything connected with literature. At marriage he receives a 'great name' IMG:p403_4.png:Chinese characters tzd or style, which is used, like the 'milk name,' by relatives, and another style, IMG:p403_5.png:Chinese characters hao, for use by acquaintances. Besides, every literutus takes one or more 'studio names,' pj Jg Pich hao. If he takes a literary degree, enters official life or has official rank bestowed on him he takes an 'official name' 'g' IMG:p403_6.png:Chinese characters huan viing. After death he is perhaps given a posthumous name. It must be understood that none of these names are ready-made and meaningle , like our William or John; they are more or le oi-iginal and have a more or le appropriate significance. A girl receives the milk name and a marriage name and perhaps a nickname. As to surname she retains her own when married, though by courtesy she is called by her husband's. In official documents both will be used in combination, the husband'is coming first. A child will not use his father's personal name, nor a wife the husband's, — it would be very disrespectful. The personal names of the Sovereign were not to be uttered or written by the general public so long as that dynasty might last. Any character occurring therefore in such a personal name is written in ordinary usage with some alteration or addition. The Emperors are known after death by their posthumous or 'temple names,' IMG:p403_7.png:Chinese characters miao hao, the 'dynastic titles'; but while living their reign has some 'style,' the IMG:p403_8.png:Chinese characters nien hao, which may be changed during the reign. Thus when foreigners write of the Emperor K'ang Hsi, the meaning is, "that ruler whose dynastic title or miao hao, is Sheng Tsu Jen, and whose reign period was known as K'ang Hsi." His personal name IMG:p403_9.png:Chinese characters HsiiAN Yeh would never be uttered by the ordinary people, nor would a character making part of it be written in it« proper form so long as the Manchu dynasty laste'd. IMG:p403_10.png:Chinese characters The T'ang ming IMG:p403_11.png:Chinese characters ig, or family-hall name is a fancy name of two characters joined with t'ang referring to some event in the family's history; it is generally inscribed in one of the principal rooms of a house and is used on gravestones, legal deeds, etc. The Chiin viing IMG:p403_12.png:Chinese characters ig or territorial appellation is hardly used except for girls on their marriage documents. A list of these geographical names corresponding to surnames is given in Giles' Dictionary, 1st ed. p. 1361. Giles has arranged the Po chia hsing alphabetically with a translation of the genealogical researches found in Chinese library editions. Giles: Journal, N.C.B.R.A.S., vol. xxi.