Emily in Chinese
Origin: Latin
Meaning: rival; industrious
The standard Chinese transliteration of Emily, pronounced Ài Mǐ Lì. The characters are chosen for sound: 艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)"), 米 (mǐ, "rice"), 莉 (lì, "jasmine"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name Emily.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "Emily" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of Emily ("rival; industrious"), expressing elegance and good character: 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful") + 清 (qīng, "clear, pure").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)"), which echoes the first sound of Emily (Ài), and adds 琴 (qín, "zither, lute") for elegance and good character. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write Emily in Chinese?
The most common way is 艾米莉 (traditional: 艾米莉), pronounced Ài Mǐ Lì. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 艾米莉 mean?
艾米莉 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "Emily". Individually: 艾 (ài) = mugwort; beautiful (classical); 米 (mǐ) = rice; 莉 (lì) = jasmine. If you want real meaning, try 婉清 (Wǎn Qīng), inspired by the meaning of Emily: "rival; industrious".
Which Chinese name for Emily is best for a tattoo?
Choose 艾米莉 if you want people to recognize your name, 婉清 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 艾琴 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes Emily. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.