English names to avoid
Chinese speakers often pick these names, but in English they may carry another meaning or sound childish or old-fashioned. Each comes with the reason and similar-feeling, safer options.
83 names
Other meanings or associations
These have another meaning in English or a fixed association.
- Bob鲍勃
a pet form of Robert: 'bright fame'
A friendly old-school nickname for Robert; use Robert formally.
- Candy坎迪
'sweet'; also a pet form of Candace
Reads more like a nickname or stage name and sounds like the word 'candy'; it can feel unserious at work. Candice keeps the sound.
- Cherry切丽
'cherry' (the fruit and blossom)
Native speakers hear the fruit or a pet name, and the word also has a crude slang sense. Not ideal as a formal English name.
- Coco可可
a pet name, made famous by Coco Chanel; often from Jacqueline or Nicole
Cute and stylish, often linked to Chanel or pet names. Fine socially; for work consider something like Colette or Corinne.
- Crystal克丽丝托
'crystal, ice'
Peaked in the 1980s; some native speakers now find it a bit stage-name-like.
- Eason伊森
a modern name, made popular in Chinese-speaking regions by singer Eason Chan
Popular mainly in Chinese-speaking regions thanks to singer Eason Chan; rare in English-speaking countries.
- Jacky杰基
a pet form of Jack or Jacob
The spelling 'Jacky' is mostly seen in Asia; native speakers use Jack (or Jackie). Jack is better for work.
- Jenny珍妮
a pet form of Jennifer or Jane
A nickname for Jennifer; use Jennifer formally.
- Karen凯伦
Danish form of Katherine; often linked to 'pure'
In recent years 'Karen' has become internet slang for an entitled, complaining woman, so it often draws jokes. Use with care.
- Kitty基蒂
a pet form of Katherine
First of all means 'kitten' and sounds childish; it also has slang meanings. Use Katherine or Kate formally.
- Kobe科比
made famous by basketball star Kobe Bryant (named after the Japanese city Kobe)
Almost everyone will think of Kobe Bryant (or Kobe beef).
- Mandy曼迪
a pet form of Amanda: 'worthy of love'
A friendly nickname for Amanda; use Amanda formally.
- Peggy佩吉
a pet form of Margaret: 'pearl'
An old-fashioned nickname for Margaret; sounds like a grandmother's name to many native speakers.
- Rocky罗基
'rocky, tough' (made famous by the film Rocky)
Most people think of the Rocky films; it reads like a nickname.
- Sunny桑尼
'sunny, cheerful'
Mainly an adjective ('sunny'); as a name it sounds friendly but informal.
- Vicky维姬
a pet form of Victoria: 'victory'
A friendly nickname for Victoria; use Victoria in formal settings.
- Winnie温妮
a pet form of Winifred or Gwyneth: 'blessed, fair'
Sweet, but many people think of Winnie the Pooh first.
- Adonis阿多尼斯
the handsome youth of Greek myth
In English it also means 'a very handsome man', so as a name it can feel a bit showy.
- Angel安吉尔
'angel, messenger'
A common male name in Spanish; in English it sounds sweet and can feel like a stage name.
- Beckham贝克汉姆
'Becca's homestead'
Most people will think of footballer David Beckham.
- Becky贝姬
a pet form of Rebecca
A nickname for Rebecca that is also used jokingly online; Rebecca is safer formally.
- Bentley本特利
'clearing with coarse grass'
It is also the name of a British luxury car brand.
- Britney布兰妮
from Brittany, the region of France
Strongly tied to the singer Britney Spears and feels very 1990s.
- Chad查德
possibly 'battle'
Has become internet slang for a stereotypical 'alpha' guy, so it can draw jokes.
- Delilah黛利拉
'delicate'
In the Bible, Delilah betrays Samson; it is also a well-known pop song, so the name carries both images.
- Elvis埃尔维斯
possibly 'all-wise' (made famous by Elvis Presley)
Strongly tied to Elvis Presley.
- Fanny范妮
a pet form of Frances: 'free one' / 'from France'
A vulgar slang word in British English and very old-fashioned in the US; strongly consider Frances instead.
- Hendrix亨德里克斯
'ruler of the home' (from Hendrik)
It often brings guitarist Jimi Hendrix to mind.
- Holden霍尔登
'hollow valley'
It is the name of the hero of The Catcher in the Rye, with a bookish, rebellious edge.
- Joey乔伊
a pet form of Joseph: 'he will add'
Feels like a nickname (it also means a baby kangaroo); Joseph is better formally.
- Kiki琪琪
a pet form of names like Christine or Kristina
Cute but sounds like a childhood nickname; use a full name such as Christine for work.
- Kyrie凯里
from the Greek word for 'Lord'
Many people think of NBA star Kyrie Irving; it is also a familiar word in church music.
- Lola洛拉
a pet form of Dolores: 'sorrows'
Playful and often heard in pop songs; a little casual for formal use.
- Neo尼奥
'new'
Instantly brings to mind Neo from The Matrix; distinctive but not an everyday name.
- Nevaeh内维娅
'heaven' spelled backwards
Coined in the US in the 2000s; some find it romantic, others find the spelling contrived.
- Queenie奎妮
'queen' (a pet name)
Sounds like a pet name and can read as a teasing 'little queen'; not recommended as a formal name.
- Randy兰迪
a pet form of Randall or Randolph: 'shield wolf'
In British and Australian slang 'randy' means sexually eager, so be aware of that there.
- Rex雷克斯
'king'
Also a classic dog's name, so some people think of pets.
- Stacy史黛西
a pet form of Anastasia: 'resurrection'
Has some joking internet usage and feels quite 1970s–80s.
- Tiffany蒂芙尼
from Theophania: 'appearance of God' (Epiphany)
Strongly linked to the jewelry brand and feels very 1980s–90s; common in Asia, a little casual in Western offices.
- Venus维纳斯
'love, beauty' (the Roman goddess of love)
The goddess of love and the planet; rare as a real name and can come across as trying too hard.
Childish nicknames
Fine among friends, but casual in formal settings.
- Andy安迪
a pet form of Andrew: 'brave'
A nickname; Andrew formally
- Annie安妮
a pet form of Anne: 'grace'
A nickname; Anne formally
- Ben本
short for Benjamin: 'son of the right hand'
A nickname; Benjamin formally
- Bill比尔
a pet form of William: 'resolute protector'
A nickname; William formally
- Cathy凯茜
a pet form of Catherine; often linked to 'pure'
A nickname; Catherine formally
- Jackie杰姬
a pet form of Jacqueline or Jack
A nickname; Jacqueline formally
- Jeff杰夫
a short form of Jeffrey: 'peace'
A nickname; Jeffrey formally
- Jerry杰瑞
a pet form of Gerald or Jeremy
A nickname; Gerald formally
- Jim吉姆
a short form of James
A nickname; James formally
- Ken肯
a short form of Kenneth: 'handsome' or 'born of fire'
A nickname; Kenneth formally
- Kenny肯尼
a pet form of Kenneth
A nickname; Kenneth formally
- Mike迈克
a short form of Michael: 'who is like God?'
A nickname; Michael formally
- Nick尼克
a short form of Nicholas: 'victory of the people'
A nickname; Nicholas formally
- Ray雷
a short form of Raymond: 'wise protector'; also 'ray of light'
A nickname; Raymond formally
- Sam萨姆
a short form of Samuel or Samantha
A nickname; Samuel formally
- Terry特里
a pet form of Terence or Theresa
A nickname; Terence formally
- Tina蒂娜
a short form of Christina and other names
A nickname; Christina formally
- Tom汤姆
a short form of Thomas: 'twin'
A nickname; Thomas formally
- Tony托尼
a short form of Anthony
A nickname; Anthony formally
Strongly dated
Very popular decades ago and now more common among older people.
- Betty贝蒂
a pet form of Elizabeth: 'pledged to God'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Bruce布鲁斯
from a Norman place name; famous through Scottish king Robert the Bruce
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Carol卡罗尔
feminine of Charles: 'free man'; also 'song of joy'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Cindy辛迪
a pet form of Cynthia or Lucinda; Cynthia means 'from Mount Kynthos'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Dennis丹尼斯
from Dionysius, 'of Dionysus' (the Greek god of wine)
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Doris多丽丝
'from Doris' (a region of Greece); also 'gift'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Frank弗兰克
'free man' or 'a Frank' (Germanic people)
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Gary加里
probably 'spear'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Gordon戈登
'great hill' (a Scottish clan name)
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Helen海伦
'torch, bright light'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Janet珍妮特
a pet form of Jane: 'God is gracious'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Judy朱迪
a pet form of Judith: 'praised' / 'woman of Judea'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Kelly凯莉
'bright-headed' or 'warrior' (an Irish surname)
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Larry拉里
a pet form of Lawrence
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Linda琳达
'soft, gentle' (in Spanish also 'pretty')
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Lisa丽莎
a short form of Elizabeth: 'pledged to God'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Nancy南希
a pet form of Anne or Agnes: 'grace'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Roy罗伊
'red' (Gaelic); also linked to French 'king'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Sally萨莉
a pet form of Sarah: 'princess'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Shirley雪莉
'bright meadow'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Susan苏珊
from Susanna: 'lily'
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Tracy特蕾西
from a Norman place name; also a pet form of Theresa
Feels dated; more common among older people
- Wendy温迪
made popular by Peter Pan (1904)
Feels dated; more common among older people
Impressions are based mostly on the US and UK and are a general feel, not statistics. In the end, pick the name you like.