Advice on choosing a Chinese Name

[STW]

Hello, I'm a student enrolling in a Mandarin class, and would greatly appreciate some advice in choosing a authentic long term name that I can use while I'm in China. Right now I'm considering either 林　磨碎 (lin2 mo4 sui4) or 蜂　磨碎 (feng1 mo4 sui4). Please let me know what you think. Thank you for all the help.

[STW]

To be more specific, I am looking for a name that sounds strong flows how a traditional chinese name would, gives the impression that I am industrious, and would be a respectable name in martial arts. I choose 磨碎 as my first name believing it meant something along the lines of "grinding, or grindstone". My idea here was to give my name a sense of humility while possesing the forementioned qualities that I desire.

I choose the 林 and 蜂 for potential surnames to convey a sense of strength (the forest) or to further express industry and drive(bee/wasp). I also thought that feng mo sui sounded good together but am not too sure about this.

Right now I train in Karate and focus mostly in speed, movement, and strikes. I also am very driven to the point of a fault because I tend to focus in on one task till I run myself into the ground. I also get straight to the point of things, can be a little of a loner, is stuborn, and have high aspirations. I like to have a very organized schedule while tending to stick to it, though I do not mind change, am adventurous, curious, as well as duty bound to my friends, co-workers, and supperiors.

sorry if this was a little long to read, I appreciate the help.

[CrisPal]

Sorry,I do not think 蜂 can be used as surname in Chinese while,another charactar 丰 is really popular which get the same pronaunce.So as to the first name,MMM...(mo sui )I prefer to 莫随,that means I dont follow other people.While,you can try others,墨绥,or 末遂.

[Hofmann]

Grindstone...硯? 硯碎? OK serious mode in 3...2...1...

In order to have a Chinese-like name, you have to have a Chinese (i.e. Han) surname. I recommend choosing from the Hundred Family Surnames, which contain the most common ones, although there are thousands that are not listed.

[STW]

thx for replying so fast. could 峰 (feng1) work as an apropiate surname?

[skylee]

峰 is a surname in Japanese (pronounced Mine) but not in Chinese. 林 is a surname in both languages (in Japanese the pronunciation is Hayashi).

風 (feng1, meaning wind) is a surname. Other surnames of the same pronunciation include 豐, 封 and 酆.

PS - I don't think 磨碎 is good for a name. You could consider Crispal's suggestions. Also consider 忍, 毅 and 默綏.

[STW]

Thank you very much . I like the feel of 忍 and 毅 I will consider them. I found 峰 listed as a Chinese Surname on this site thoughhttp://name.netor.com/wjx.asp?id=1444&name=峰 do you think it is because this name might be rare or is the site wrong? Also may I ask why it is that you feel 磨碎 is unsuitable? Again thank you for the help.

[skylee]

I said 峰 is not a Chinese surname based on my knowledge and dictionaries that I use. But of course it is up to you to make a decision if you believe that it is a Chinese surname because of that website.

[STW]

I think I want 林忍 as my name thank you everyone for your help. Just one more question though does it sound typically chinese when spoken?

[CrisPal]

Consider 林忍之 or 林韧之.In my opinion,they are better than that two-charactar ones.

[skylee]

林忍之 or 林韧之

oh but they remind me of 林平之 ...

[renzhe]

They remind me of 忍者

[Guest realmayo]

ah.... renzhe is 忍者! I always wondered.....

[skylee]

I agree with CrisPal that three-character names sound better. 之 is a good choice to fit in the name, though the similarity with 林平之 is a bit unfortunate IMHO, haha.

You could also consider including 伯 / 仲 in your name. If you are the first son/child, you could name yourself 林伯忍 / 林伯韌. If you are the second son/child, you could name yourself 林仲忍 / 林仲韌.

[xiaocai]

oh but they remind me of 林平之 ...

Highly related to martial arts. (Not so respectable though...)

[STW]

Do you Pronunciate 林伯忍 like lin2ba4ren? Can someone tell me what 之 translate as in the name 林忍之 please?

[xiaocai]

I would read it as lin2bo2ren3, just like how you read 伯 in 伯仲叔季 (bo2zhong4shu1ji4). 之 means, well, I don't know. But it sounds more complete to me with the 之.

[skylee]

I pronounce 林伯忍 as Lin2 Bo2ren3. 之 in 林忍之 carries no particular meaning.

[CrisPal]

林忍之 The 　之 is with no meaning here but it make the name sound very literate.

[STW]

Ok, I think I will choose then 林伯忍. Thank you everyone for helping me out, I really appreciate it ^_^.