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Some basic Info on Chinese Names
Category: Resources
As I frequently get questions how people would address Hou Xin correctily here´s a very brief, very superficial introduction on the usage of and customs around Chinese Names.
Chinese family names take first place because they are more valuable.
First of all, when Chinese people say their name, first they say the Family name, then Given name.
So in terms of Hou Xin – 'Hou' is his last name, 'Xin' is the given name.
Family names have been in Chinese culture way before our era, but back then only privileged people had a family name. Common people did not.
It was only many years later that all Chinese people had family names. Much like many popular English names such as Smith, family names would have been issued according to their occupation.
Names with meaning – what does Hou Xin mean?
Hou (Chinese: 侯; pinyin: Hóu) is one of the surnames, listed the 80th in the Hundred Family Surnames. It originated from a Chinese nobility title, often translated as "marquis."
'Xin' as a term in Chinese Philosophy refers to one's "disposition" or "feelings" (Chinese: 心; pinyin: xīn), or to one's confidence or trust in something or someone (Chinese: 信; pinyin: xìn). Literally, xin (心) refers to the physical heart, though it is sometimes translated as "mind" as the ancient Chinese believed the heart was the center of human cognition.
Forms of address
Unlike in the west, referring to somebody by their full name (including surname and given name) is common custom – although these personal names are only used in close social context like close friends or family.
So, someone close to Hou Xin would use his full name 'Hou Xin' and hardly ever just 'Xin'.
If only "Xin" is used, like between very close friends or family though then the prefix "Ah" is put in front of the name as just calling someone by his/her name, like "Bill" would be considered rude. Also nicknames are created by using Ah as prefix.
Another important prefix is "Lao" which is put in front of the surename - like in Lao Hou and shows a form of affection or familiarity while offering respect.
When speaking of and to non-family or close social acquaintances, people are generally addressed by and referred to by a title – in Hou Xin´s case that would be 'Hou Jiàng juān' (General Hou), or neutral without military ranking 'Hóu Xiānshēng' (Mr Hou).
Also there are many affectionate ways for those very close to address each other when close - like adding the "title" "gē" for "Older Brother" or "dì" for younger Brother - looking like "Xin dì", for those very close, allowed to use his given name - of "Hou di", for those not so close
One very official (old fashioned, mostly used in historical/wuxia contex) and polite way to address is the title "Gōngzǐ" which translated word by word would mean as much as "noble Sir" - like Hou Gōngzǐ
If you are interested in the astonishingly wide and utterly interesting field of the development of Chinese Names, all the customs round properly and politely addressing someone there is a very detailed Wiki-page
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