What a courtesy name is
A courtesy name, called zi (字), is a second name given in adulthood, beside the given name (ming 名). It was traditionally given to men at age 20, and sometimes to women, usually when they married. Adults of the same generation avoided the given name and used the zi on formal occasions and in writing. The given name was kept for oneself and for elders.
For this reason, almost all of the 124 pairs here are male. Only a few are female or either.
How a pair is matched
Old courtesy names often echoed the given name: synonyms, related ideas, and rarely opposites. This page follows the idea. Hanyu 瀚宇 (vast universe) pairs with Mingcang 溟苍. The note says 瀚 (vast ocean) echoes 溟 (deep sea), and 宇 (space) echoes 苍 (firmament). Other pairs complement each other. Xuanhe 暄和 pairs with Xufeng 煦风, a warm breeze that fits gentle sunlight.
Each zi has two characters and does not repeat a character from the given name.
Suggestions, not records
The label "Suggested pairing, not a historical record" stays on screen. These pairs are not records of any real person. Use them as a starting point and ask a Chinese reader before you print one. Old custom also used words like 伯 for the eldest son. This page does not model those. For full names with a family name, go to the cultivation name generator.