The Importance Of A Chinese Boys Name

In a country that has a limit of one child per family, carrying on the surname gains importance in the scope of family heritage. China has just such a rule, therefore a Chinese boys name takes on greater significance for the families. Since normally conceived births have a 50% chance of being a boy, the families with girls will likely watch their surname die out with the fathers. What might this mean for families?

Many families have a strong sense of pride where heritage and ancestors are concerned. It is very common to want to know who and where we came from. The study of genealogy and etymology shows the desire for such knowledge. There is even a new American television show that has celebrities trace down their family roots. The importance placed on the heritage and future of a family lends itself to understanding the desire to have a male child to keep the family surname going.

What is the big deal about wanting a boy? Knowing we won’t live forever is part of the reason people want to carry on their name. The need to leave a mark on this world while we’re here fuels the desire to preserve the family name. Looking beyond the immediate family and extending the lineage for generations gives people a sense that they can live forever. The worth of a son increases to achieve this goal.

Historically, the significance of male heirs has had a role in society. In England’s history, King Henry VIII is remembered for feeling so strongly about having a son that he had a wife beheaded when she didn’t produce one. In literature and film, the importance of having a male child can be found as a theme.

Placing too much emphasis on the male heir dilemma can have negative consequences. China may experience one of these complications in the near future. There are more males than females that have been born since the one child per family rule was instated. Families wanting to have a male are aborting the fetuses which are female or giving the girls up for adoption. When these boys and girls grow up, there aren’t going to be enough women for the men to marry. It will be interesting to see what behaviors will manifest when nature interferes with polite society.

No longer viewed as a husband’s property, women in today’s society are contributing to preserving the family Chinese surname. Some women are choosing to have children out of wedlock and giving the child the mother’s surname. Women are also more frequently hyphenating their maiden name with their married name.

A Chinese boys name is a reflection of the belief that the family surname continues with the male members of the family. Conventions may say so, but new ideas and progressive thinking is changing those beliefs. The men aren’t the only family members who define the ancestry. In the future, maybe there will be as much mention of foremothers as there are forefathers. Only time will tell.