I need 10 traditional male Hong Kong names that would be appropriate
for the most senior leaders of a Hong Kong triad.  These should not be
names that begin with english names like David, Bennie, etc.  In
addition to the actual names I would like to know if there are
meanings attributable to those names.  I am writing a book that
includes a reference to Triads, and I don't want to look stupid when I
name the characters.

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 11 Dec 2002 19:22 PST

ograywolf,

The Hong Kong Chinese have been using "englishized" names for over 150
years.  They sometimes combine Chinese and English names.  I can
provide you with detailed information regarding naming conventions in
Hong Kong Chinese along with traditional Chinese naming conventions
and information regarding Chinese names.  You would then be able to
combine the information for your book.

Let me know if this will suffice.

Regards,

-THV

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Clarification of Question by ograywolf-ga on 11 Dec 2002 20:33 PST

THV,

My hope is to just keep things simple.  I would just like to have 10
male names that would be appropriate for very senior, very traditional
people from Hong Kong.  Since the Triads actually date back the
1500's, I would like this particular bunch to be quite testy about the
way the Brits and the Americans treated the Chinese, especially as
they were being brought into the US in the late 1800's.  They would
not look with favor on the use of English names, even
today. If there are meanings to the names, I would also like that.

chliu528..

Your question allowed me to learn quite a bit about the naming
conventions of Hong Kong and Chinese. I learned quite a bit and truly
enjoyed researching your need.  Thanks for the question.

I would like to preface the answer with some basic information
regarding Hong Kong Chinese naming conventions. This comes from
"Understanding Asia - Hong Kong"

"Hong Kong people of Chinese descent normally have three-syllable
names, with the surname/family name used first, such as Sun Yun-wing
(surname underlined). In Hong Kong, given names when written in
English are usually hyphenated, although this may change as Chinese
influence grows stronger. There are exceptions to this surname-first
rule, as in the case when Hong Kong people adopt a non-Chinese given
name, such as George Sun. There are also combination names, which
use/adopt a non-Chinese given name with their Chinese name, such as
George Sun Yun-wing. In this case the second name is the surname.
Titles (such as Mr, Mrs and Miss) should always be used with the
surname, such as Mr Sun. Hong Kong Chinese may use Chinese names or
add a Western first name, e.g., George Sun Yun-Wing.

Use title and family/surname (this is usually the first Chinese name).
Male: Sun Yun-wing is called Mr Sun.
Female: Sun Yu-ping is called Mrs/Miss Sun."
http://www.qttc.com.au/international/asia/hongkong.htm#names

Here is a list of the most common Chinese last names.  These names
make up over 50% the Chinese population:

Chen (Chan) 
Lin 
Huang (Hwang, Hwong) 
Li (Lee) 
Zhang (Chang) 
Wu (U, O, Oh) 
Wang (Wong) 
Cai (Tsai) 
Liu

Now, first names are obviously much less common, however, just as in
English we have John, James, and other fairly commong names, there are
some common ones in Chinese as well:

Wen (culture, writing) 
Zhi (will, intention; emotions) 
Yi (cheerful) 
Ya (elegant) 
Ming (bright) 
Hui (smart, wise) 
Hong (great, wide)

A neat, though probably meaningless, tool is the Chinese Name
Generator.  It allows you to enter a name and birthdate and desired
characterstic and get back a Chinese name.  This may be helpful to you
for creating names as well.
http://www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html

Thank you for your question and if you need any additional
clarification, please let me know.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
Common Hong Kong Names
Hong Kong Chinese naming conventions
Common Chinese Names

References:
Common Chinese Names?
http://www.logoi.com/notes/common_chinese_names.html

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Clarification of Answer by tar_heel_v-ga on 12 Dec 2002 08:18 PST

chliu..

I found another list of male Chinese names and their meanings:
CHEN:  great, vast 
CONG:  Unisexual name meaning "intelligent; clever"
FAI:  beginning
HO:  good
KONG:  glorious
KUAN-YIN:  Buddhist deity of mercy.
LEE:  Unisexual name meaning "plum"
LEI:  thunder
LI:  Unisexual name meaning "strength; beautiful"
LIAN:  Unisexual name meaning "the graceful willow"
LIANG:  good
LOK:  happy
LONG:  dragon
PARK:  Unisexual name meaning "cypress tree"
SHAIMING:  sunshine
SHEN:  spiritual; deep-thinking
SHING:  victory
SYING:  star

Male Chinese Names
http://www.20000-names.com/male_chinese_names.htm

I also foound a very nice source of last names at
http://www.yutopian.com/names/nametree.html that shows which Chinese
Dynasty the names came from.  Being that your goal is have these
characters be very concerned about their origin, this resource could
be very helpful as well.

-THV

Fabulous answer!  Exceeded my expectations!  This was the first time I
used this service, but it won't be my last!

There's a famout Chinese literature "Legend of Water Margin". It's a
story about how a gang of 108 heros(bandits) got together to oppose a
currupt govenor. End of the story all the names of the heros where
recited. Maybe you can pick a few fom there.

Hello ograywolf-ga
As additional information, slight care needs to be taken to pick a
Cantonese (HK) Chinese name if you are to script the triad member as a
Hong Kong born triad, as the majority above are Mandarin (China)
names. - Of course, there is nothing stopping a Mainland China Triad
leader migrating and setting up underworld operations in Hong Kong :-)
 which happens.
In Hong Kong cinema the leaders are sometimes referred solely to their
nicknames like 'big dragon'  or 'big brother'
Kind regards 
lot-ga

Thanks lot-ga,

Information from Canada seems to suggest that Chinese mainland
intelligence agencies have taken over many of the triads and are using
them as a means to spy on Canada and the US.  My plot involves an
abortive attempt by the new generation to combine a very traditional
Hong Kong triad with an American criminal organization that traces
it's roots back to the time when they were smuggling Chinese and opium
into the US.  Needless to say, the elders of both organizations have
some trouble with this concept...especially when it blows up in their
faces (thanks to my hero).