Chinese state media to readers: Don’t name yourself ‘Dragon’

Wilfred Chan, CNN
1 minute read
Published 3:46 AM EDT, Tue October 21, 2014
Chinese state media CCTV advises its readers to avoid "names that are in fact, not names." For example, Surprise, Dragon, or Fish.
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Chinese state media CCTV advises its readers to avoid "names that are in fact, not names." For example, Surprise, Dragon, or Fish.
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Don't pick a famous name, like Einstein or Obama, says CCTV. "You have some pretty big shoes to fill there."
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Don't pick a famous name, like Einstein or Obama, says CCTV. "You have some pretty big shoes to fill there."
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
Another tip from CCTV: Don't name yourself after food. "To put bluntly, names like Candy, Lolly, Sugar (think anything sweet), are typically thought of as 'non-smart girl' names, or 'stripper' names."
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Another tip from CCTV: Don't name yourself after food. "To put bluntly, names like Candy, Lolly, Sugar (think anything sweet), are typically thought of as 'non-smart girl' names, or 'stripper' names."
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Other names to avoid: Old names, like Gertrude, Mildred, or Percival. Some "simply sound outdated and even ugly," says CCTV.
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Other names to avoid: Old names, like Gertrude, Mildred, or Percival. Some "simply sound outdated and even ugly," says CCTV.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Names with religious or supernatural connotations -- like Vampire, Satan, or Dumbledore, are not good ideas, says CCTV.
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Names with religious or supernatural connotations -- like Vampire, Satan, or Dumbledore, are not good ideas, says CCTV.
Pictorial Parade/Getty Images
Finally, CCTV advises readers not to pick any names with a sexual connotation, like Creamy, Bunny, or Dong.
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
Finally, CCTV advises readers not to pick any names with a sexual connotation, like Creamy, Bunny, or Dong.
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So what should Chinese people name themselves? The best is a "proper" name, like Elizabeth, Michael, William, or Catherine. "They have a distinct feeling of 'Britishness'... with implications of wealth," says CCTV.
Chinese media: How to pick an English name —
So what should Chinese people name themselves? The best is a "proper" name, like Elizabeth, Michael, William, or Catherine. "They have a distinct feeling of 'Britishness'... with implications of wealth," says CCTV.
Hugo Burnand/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese media: How to pick an English name
CNN  — 

In China, language learners are given the freedom to choose their own English names – perhaps sometimes a little too much freedom.

With names like Fish, Lawyer and Surprise, many Chinese people “like to pick names that are in fact, not names,” says China’s state-run CCTV news.

That’s why the media outlet has published a guide explaining to Chinese people what types of English names are best – and which are better to avoid.

This slideshow contains some of its suggestions. And who knows – they could help you out, too.