How Shan Shui Works

Four steps from curiosity to your personalized Chinese name — each rooted in real classical sources.

1

Choose Your Source

Pick where your name should come from: Classical Poetry (Tang/Song dynasty verses), Five Elements Bazi (八字命理 destiny analysis based on your birth date), Stars & Earth (natural imagery), Myths & Legends (dragons, phoenixes, immortals), or Living History (real generals, poets, philosophers). Each category draws from different classical Chinese texts.

2

Tell Us About Yourself

Optional but powerful: share your English name and a word that describes you. For Five Elements naming, enter your birth date, time, and location — we'll calculate your Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) to identify which elements need balancing in your name.

3

Choose Your Surname

Browse the Hundred Family Surnames (百家姓) — 50+ traditional Chinese surnames with full cultural descriptions. Each surname tells a story: 李 (Lee) is the world's most common surname, 王 (Wang) means 'king,' 林 (Lin) means 'forest.' Pick one that resonates, or let AI recommend.

4

Receive Your Name

Our AI, trained on classical Chinese texts, generates a unique name with: your full name in characters and pinyin, an English-friendly pronunciation guide, the exact classical source text and attribution, a cultural explanation with Western analogies, and an immersive story about your name's origin. Share it as a social card.

Why Shan Shui?

  • • Every name comes from a real classical source, clearly cited — no AI randomness
  • • Each name includes pronunciation guides designed for English speakers
  • • Cultural explanations use Western analogies (Shakespeare, Tolkien, Greek myths)
  • • Bazi (八字) analysis for Five Elements names — a 3,000-year-old personality blueprint
  • • Free to use. No account required. Unlimited generations.