What does this name mean?

[Foundinhell]

Yingzi, a girl name. What does it mean? How do you write it in Chinese characters?

[skylee]

According to the Lin Yutang Dictionary, there are -

these characters with the pronunciation of "ying",

and these with the pronunciation of "zi".

Although not all of these characters are commonly used in names, you could appreciate that it is quite difficult to tell how "Yingzi" is written in chinese and what it means by simply telling us that it is a girl's name.

That said, one of the possibilities is "櫻子", which is a Japanese-influenced name meaning cherry tree/blossom.

[coarsec]

Although not all of these characters are commonly used in names, you could appreciate that it is quite difficult to tell how "Yingzi" is written in chinese and what it means by simply telling us that it is a girl's name.

I agree. But I guess "Yingzi" could be "英子" or "英姿", the former is a commonly used name in China, while the latter is the name of a well-known character in HongKong TVB series "Armed Reaction"(陀枪师姐).

[Foundinhell]

skylee

I know I know but that's all I got I found it in the book "Summer of Betrayal" by Hong Ying.

coarsec

Does those name mean cherry tree too?

Edit: I looked it up myself I really like 英姿, would that make a pretty girl name? ^^

But does 英 mean only "brave"? In my dictionary it says "A person of outstanding talent or wisdom", and "brave" and "falling flowers" while http://www.mandarintools.com/worddict.html says it means only "brave"

[skylee]

You mentioned "Summer of Betrayal". I've searched on the internet, and it seems that the girl's name is supposed to mean "little shadow". If this is the case, then the name should be "影子".

[Foundinhell]

Oh thank you I've always wondered.

What about the edit part? does 英 only mean brave?

[skylee]

英 is also used to refer to England, the UK, and related things.

[Foundinhell]

What would make the best girl name? "英子" or "英姿"?

[coarsec]

I know I know but that's all I got I found it in the book "Summer of Betrayal" by Hong Ying.

I've never read this book so I could not confirm "Yingzi" is originally "英姿" or "影子" or anything else. But the author "Hong Ying" is "虹影" in Chinese, and you konw there are often some connections between an author and his/her character, hence maybe skylee is right that the name should be "影子". Though, it seems few Chinese parents would name their daughter "影子".

What would make the best girl name? "英子" or "英姿"?

"英姿" would be my favorite if I were the author. And following are several Chinese idioms including this word:

英姿焕发

英姿飒爽

英姿勃勃

All describe the state of person(s) in heroic bearing.

[Foundinhell]

In the book I got it doesn't say "..always called me ‘Yingzi’, Little Shadow. He liked to tie a silk.." it says: "always call me 'Yingzi Yingzi!' He liked to..." :S