160 Chinese Boy Names That Mean "Light" (With Pinyin, Meanings & Popularity Data)

In China, "light" names sit in the sweet spot: they feel warm, smart, and hopeful without trying too hard.

And they're not rare at all—official boy-name data shows characters like 泽 (Zé) and 宇 (Yǔ) are among the most-used given-name characters, and names like 宇泽 (Yǔ Zé) and 宇轩 (Yǔ Xuān) show up in the top boy-name lists.

If you want to generate a Chinese name by yourself, you can visit Chinese Name Generator

How Chinese Names Capture "Light"

Chinese names express "light" through three layers: brightness (clear mind), warmth (good energy), or shine (talent that shows).

Think "sunrise over the horizon," not "LED flashlight."

How I Pick Names That Don't Sound Corny

1. Choose your light style: clear (明 Míng), sunny (阳 Yáng), sparkling (熠 Yì), or dawn-soft (晗 Hán).
2. Balance the vibe: flashy light characters pair best with calm "space" characters (宇 Yǔ / 昊 Hào / 泽 Zé).
3. Say the full name fast: you're checking rhythm and awkward sound-alikes.

Popularity Cheat Sheet (So the "%" Doesn't Lie to You)

China doesn't publish counts for every possible two-character combo, so the "usage share" below is a practical range—just a uniqueness gauge.

• Top-list common: ≈0.05%–0.50% (some top boy names land here)
• Common: ≈0.02%–0.08%
• Medium: ≈0.005%–0.02%
• Low: <0.005%

The 16 Characters I’m Using (Split into 2 Buckets)

Bucket A: Common, Safe, Easy-to-Wear

Bucket B: Less Common, Still Readable, More “You”

Bucket A Characters: Meanings + 10 Name Ideas Each

明 (Míng) — “bright and clear” (sun + moon)

明 (Míng) is the cleanest “light” character out there: bright, clear, and mentally sharp.

In a name, it reads like “this kid grows up with clarity and a straight spine.”

• 明宇 (Míng Yǔ) — clarity lighting up the sky; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 明泽 (Míng Zé) — bright + gentle shine; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 明辰 (Míng Chén) — clear starlight; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 明宸 (Míng Chén) — clarity with star-center dignity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 明轩 (Míng Xuān) — bright, refined presence; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 明阳 (Míng Yáng) — bright sunshine energy; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 明昊 (Míng Hào) — bright under a vast sky; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 明曜 (Míng Yào) — clear, shining sunlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 明晗 (Míng Hán) — clarity at dawn; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 明昭 (Míng Zhāo) — bright and unmistakably clear; usage: Low (<0.005%).

阳 (Yáng) — “sun-facing warmth”

阳 (Yáng) is light you can feel—sunshine, warmth, optimistic energy.

It’s friendly, easy for non-Chinese speakers, and never feels cold.

• 阳宇 (Yáng Yǔ) — sunshine filling the sky; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 阳泽 (Yáng Zé) — warm light + soft shine; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 阳辰 (Yáng Chén) — sun + starlight timing; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳宸 (Yáng Chén) — sunshine with dignified glow; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳轩 (Yáng Xuān) — sunny, confident presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳明 (Yáng Míng) — sunshine clarity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 阳昊 (Yáng Hào) — sun under a big sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳曜 (Yáng Yào) — sunshine that shines harder; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳晗 (Yáng Hán) — sunrise energy (before full day); usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 阳灿 (Yáng Càn) — bright sunshine, radiant vibe; usage: Low (<0.005%).

辰 (Chén) — “starlight / celestial time”

辰 (Chén) links to the sky: stars, timing, and that “good moment” feeling (think: a bright, lucky hour).

It’s light, but more “starlight” than “sunlight.”

• 辰宇 (Chén Yǔ) — starlight across the sky; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 辰泽 (Chén Zé) — star-glow with soft shine; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 辰轩 (Chén Xuān) — bright future, confident presence; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 辰阳 (Chén Yáng) — starlight meeting sunlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰明 (Chén Míng) — stars + clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰昊 (Chén Hào) — stars under vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰曜 (Chén Yào) — starlight that shines; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰晗 (Chén Hán) — stars before dawn; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰熠 (Chén Yì) — starlight + sparkle; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 辰灿 (Chén Càn) — star-bright and radiant; usage: Low (<0.005%).

昊 (Hào) — “vast sky (with sun)”

昊 (Hào) is big-sky light: open, clean, and confident.

If you want “light” to mean “wide horizon,” this is it.

• 昊宇 (Hào Yǔ) — big sky inside bigger sky; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 昊泽 (Hào Zé) — vast sky + gentle shine; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 昊辰 (Hào Chén) — sky + starlight; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 昊宸 (Hào Chén) — vast sky + dignified glow; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊轩 (Hào Xuān) — open sky, confident presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊阳 (Hào Yáng) — sunlight under a huge sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊明 (Hào Míng) — vast sky + clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊曜 (Hào Yào) — sky that shines; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊晗 (Hào Hán) — sky before sunrise; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昊晟 (Hào Shèng) — bright sky + thriving light; usage: Low (<0.005%).

宇 (Yǔ) — “space that holds light”

宇 (Yǔ) is literally “roof/eaves,” then extended to “space/universe.” Naming-wise, it’s the sky where light lives.

It’s a perfect base character when you want the name to feel bright but calm.

• 宇泽 (Yǔ Zé) — light across water-like shine; usage: Top-list common (≈0.05%–0.50%).
• 宇轩 (Yǔ Xuān) — bright, elevated presence; usage: Top-list common (≈0.05%–0.50%).
• 宇辰 (Yǔ Chén) — sky holding starlight; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 宇阳 (Yǔ Yáng) — sunshine in open space; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宇明 (Yǔ Míng) — universe + clarity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宇昊 (Yǔ Hào) — bright horizon, big sky; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宇曜 (Yǔ Yào) — sky + shining sunlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宇晗 (Yǔ Hán) — sky at dawn-glow; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宇熠 (Yǔ Yì) — sky with sparkle; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宇昭 (Yǔ Zhāo) — bright, clear sky-feel; usage: Low (<0.005%).

泽 (Zé) — “gloss / luminous shine”

泽 (Zé) literally carries “luster” and “moist shine”—light reflecting off something alive.

In names, it’s the warm kind of light: gentle, generous, and lasting.

• 泽宇 (Zé Yǔ) — soft shine filling space; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 泽轩 (Zé Xuān) — bright grace with presence; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 泽辰 (Zé Chén) — glossy starlight vibe; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 泽阳 (Zé Yáng) — warm shine, sunny-hearted; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 泽明 (Zé Míng) — gentle shine + clarity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 泽昊 (Zé Hào) — soft shine under big sky; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 泽曜 (Zé Yào) — reflective shine + sunlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 泽晗 (Zé Hán) — dawn glow with softness; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 泽熠 (Zé Yì) — gentle shine with sparkle; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 泽晟 (Zé Shèng) — soft glow + thriving brightness; usage: Low (<0.005%).

宸 (Chén) — “celestial dignity”

宸 (Chén) points to the “center under the stars” kind of light—calm, elevated, dignified.

It makes a name feel bright, but not loud.

• 宸宇 (Chén Yǔ) — dignified glow across the sky; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 宸泽 (Chén Zé) — bright dignity + gentle shine; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 宸轩 (Chén Xuān) — elevated, bright presence; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宸阳 (Chén Yáng) — warm light with poise; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宸明 (Chén Míng) — dignified clarity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宸昊 (Chén Hào) — big sky, steady light; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 宸曜 (Chén Yào) — dignified shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宸晗 (Chén Hán) — dawn glow, premium feel; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宸熠 (Chén Yì) — sparkle with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 宸晟 (Chén Shèng) — dignified + thriving brightness; usage: Low (<0.005%).

轩 (Xuān) — “lofty, bright presence”

轩 (Xuān) originally relates to an elevated carriage and “high/raised.” Higher place, more light—simple and effective.

In names, it reads as confident, refined, and naturally bright.

• 轩宇 (Xuān Yǔ) — lofty and open, bright-feeling; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 轩泽 (Xuān Zé) — refined shine, gentle light; usage: Common (≈0.02%–0.08%).
• 轩辰 (Xuān Chén) — bright presence + starlight; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 轩宸 (Xuān Chén) — refined dignity, premium glow; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 轩阳 (Xuān Yáng) — bright, sunny presence; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 轩明 (Xuān Míng) — refined clarity; usage: Medium (≈0.005%–0.02%).
• 轩昊 (Xuān Hào) — lofty under big sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 轩曜 (Xuān Yào) — refined shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 轩晗 (Xuān Hán) — refined dawn glow; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 轩熠 (Xuān Yì) — refined sparkle; usage: Low (<0.005%).

Bucket B Characters: Meanings + 10 Name Ideas Each

曜 (Yào) — “sunlight shining”

曜 (Yào) is direct sunlight: shine, radiance, and “standing out in a good way.”

It’s uncommon enough to feel special, but it still looks normal on paper.

• 曜宸 (Yào Chén) — shining light with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜昊 (Yào Hào) — sunlight across a vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜明 (Yào Míng) — shining clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜阳 (Yào Yáng) — sunlight + sunshine warmth; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜宇 (Yào Yǔ) — sunlight filling the universe; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜泽 (Yào Zé) — bright shine with softness; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜轩 (Yào Xuān) — shining presence, refined; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜辰 (Yào Chén) — sunlight meeting starlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜昭 (Yào Zhāo) — bright and unmistakable; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 曜晟 (Yào Shèng) — shining and thriving; usage: Low (<0.005%).

晟 (Shèng) — “bright + thriving”

晟 (Shèng) is bright light that’s strong enough to mean “prosperous” too.

If you want “light” to imply success, this character does it without being tacky.

• 晟宇 (Shèng Yǔ) — thriving brightness across space; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟泽 (Shèng Zé) — bright success with gentle shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟辰 (Shèng Chén) — bright future timing; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟宸 (Shèng Chén) — thriving light with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟轩 (Shèng Xuān) — bright success, confident presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟阳 (Shèng Yáng) — thriving sunshine energy; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟明 (Shèng Míng) — bright and clear, success vibe; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟昊 (Shèng Hào) — thriving brightness under vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟曜 (Shèng Yào) — thriving shine, extra radiant; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晟灿 (Shèng Càn) — thriving and brilliant; usage: Low (<0.005%).

熠 (Yì) — “sparkling light”

熠 (Yì) is sparkle—clean, sharp, and modern (not childish glitter).

Pair it with calm characters and it looks expensive.

• 熠辰 (Yì Chén) — sparkling starlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠宸 (Yì Chén) — sparkle with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠昊 (Yì Hào) — sparkle under a vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠阳 (Yì Yáng) — sparkling sunshine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠明 (Yì Míng) — sparkling clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠宇 (Yì Yǔ) — sparkle across space; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠泽 (Yì Zé) — sparkle with soft shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠轩 (Yì Xuān) — sparkling presence, refined; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠曜 (Yì Yào) — sparkle + full shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 熠晗 (Yì Hán) — sparkle at dawn; usage: Low (<0.005%).

昭 (Zhāo) — “bright and obvious (clear, upright light)”

昭 (Zhāo) is “light you can’t deny”—bright, clear, and aboveboard.

If you want a name that feels honest, this one hits.

• 昭宇 (Zhāo Yǔ) — clear light across the sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭泽 (Zhāo Zé) — bright clarity with soft shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭辰 (Zhāo Chén) — clear starlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭宸 (Zhāo Chén) — clear light with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭轩 (Zhāo Xuān) — bright, refined presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭阳 (Zhāo Yáng) — bright sunshine, upbeat; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭明 (Zhāo Míng) — bright and clear (double clarity); usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭昊 (Zhāo Hào) — bright under vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭曜 (Zhāo Yào) — bright and shining; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昭晟 (Zhāo Shèng) — clear light + thriving; usage: Low (<0.005%).

晗 (Hán) — “pre-dawn glow”

晗 (Hán) is that soft light right before sunrise—quiet, hopeful, and clean.

It’s rare, but it still feels natural in modern names.

• 晗宇 (Hán Yǔ) — dawn glow across the sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗泽 (Hán Zé) — dawn glow with soft shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗辰 (Hán Chén) — pre-dawn starlight; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗宸 (Hán Chén) — dawn glow with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗轩 (Hán Xuān) — dawn-bright presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗阳 (Hán Yáng) — sunrise warmth; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗明 (Hán Míng) — dawn clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗昊 (Hán Hào) — dawn light under big sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗曜 (Hán Yào) — dawn glow turning into shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 晗熠 (Hán Yì) — dawn sparkle; usage: Low (<0.005%).

暄 (Xuān) — “sun-warmth”

暄 (Xuān) is warm sunlight—the kind that makes a place feel safe.

It’s a “good-hearted light” character, not a flashy one.

• 暄泽 (Xuān Zé) — warm light + gentle shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄辰 (Xuān Chén) — warm light with starlight timing; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄宸 (Xuān Chén) — warm light, dignified; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄阳 (Xuān Yáng) — double warmth (sun + sun); usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄明 (Xuān Míng) — warm clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄昊 (Xuān Hào) — warm horizon under vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄曜 (Xuān Yào) — warm shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄宇 (Xuān Yǔ) — warm light filling space; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄昭 (Xuān Zhāo) — warm, clear light; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 暄晟 (Xuān Shèng) — warm light + thriving; usage: Low (<0.005%).

昶 (Chǎng) — “long daylight”

昶 (Chǎng) literally ties to “daylight lasting longer.” That’s light as endurance.

Rare character, strong meaning, and it doesn’t look weird.

• 昶宇 (Chǎng Yǔ) — lasting daylight across space; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶泽 (Chǎng Zé) — lasting light with gentle shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶辰 (Chǎng Chén) — long daylight + bright timing; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶宸 (Chǎng Chén) — lasting light with dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶轩 (Chǎng Xuān) — lasting brightness, confident presence; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶阳 (Chǎng Yáng) — long-lasting sunshine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶明 (Chǎng Míng) — lasting clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶昊 (Chǎng Hào) — long daylight under vast sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶曜 (Chǎng Yào) — lasting shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 昶昭 (Chǎng Zhāo) — lasting, unmistakable brightness; usage: Low (<0.005%).

灿 (Càn) — “brilliant radiance”

灿 (Càn) is bright, vivid light—radiant and celebratory.

It’s bold, so pairing it with calmer characters keeps it classy.

• 灿宇 (Càn Yǔ) — radiant light across space; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿泽 (Càn Zé) — bright radiance with soft shine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿辰 (Càn Chén) — radiant starlight vibe; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿宸 (Càn Chén) — radiant dignity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿轩 (Càn Xuān) — radiant presence, refined; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿阳 (Càn Yáng) — radiant sunshine; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿明 (Càn Míng) — radiant clarity; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿昊 (Càn Hào) — radiant horizon, big sky; usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿曜 (Càn Yào) — radiant shine (very bright); usage: Low (<0.005%).
• 灿晟 (Càn Shèng) — radiant and thriving; usage: Low (<0.005%).

My Shortlist: 10 “Most Common but Still Nice” Picks

If you want a name that feels modern and widely accepted in China, start here.

• 宇泽 (Yǔ Zé) — popular for a reason: bright, gentle, modern.
• 宇轩 (Yǔ Xuān) — clean confidence, “bright presence” energy.
• 辰宇 (Chén Yǔ) — starlight + space, very current.
• 泽宇 (Zé Yǔ) — warm shine, big horizon.
• 宸宇 (Chén Yǔ) — premium-feeling, calm strength.
• 宸泽 (Chén Zé) — dignified, gentle brightness.
• 明宇 (Míng Yǔ) — clarity with a wide-open future.
• 明轩 (Míng Xuān) — bright and refined, never cheesy.
• 昊辰 (Hào Chén) — big-sky ambition with starlight detail.
• 阳明 (Yáng Míng) — sunny clarity, friendly vibe.

My Shortlist: 10 Uncommon Picks I Genuinely Like

These feel special, readable, and still “normal” in China.

• 曜宸 (Yào Chén) — shining, premium, memorable.
• 熠宸 (Yì Chén) — sparkle with restraint (the best kind).
• 晗明 (Hán Míng) — dawn clarity, soft but strong.
• 暄泽 (Xuān Zé) — warm light + gentle shine, very kind.
• 昶明 (Chǎng Míng) — lasting daylight + clarity, rare and steady.
• 昭泽 (Zhāo Zé) — bright integrity with softness.
• 曜宇 (Yào Yǔ) — sunlight across space, clean modern feel.
• 熠辰 (Yì Chén) — sparkling starlight, stylish.
• 晟泽 (Shèng Zé) — thriving brightness, balanced by gentleness.
• 灿宸 (Càn Chén) — radiant, but still classy.