Names of Sun Yat-sen
Encyclopedia
Like many Chinese
, Sun Yat-sen
used different names at different points in his life and he is known in China under several of them. Names are not taken lightly in Chinese culture. This reverence goes as far back as Confucius
and his insistence on "rectification of names."
In addition to the names and aliases
listed below, Sun Yat-sen also used other aliases while he was a revolutionary in exile.
which he shared with his brother and his relatives on the same generation line. Traditionally, this name was not used in intercourse with people outside of the family, and inside China or Taiwan almost nobody knows that his real name was Sun Deming (although other historical figures such as Mao Zedong
are known by their "register name"), and even many Chinese people wrongly assume that Deming was his courtesy name (字, zì).
His name Sun Wen is very well known among Chinese. After attaining public office, Sun consistently used this name - Sun Wen - to sign official documents.
Thus, his child name was Sun Dìxiàng (孫帝象). So this name Sun Dìxiàng is also referred to as his small name (小名). This name, however, was not the name that he received when he was born.
Sun's parents dedicated his name to the Heavenly Upper Emperor / Xuan Wu Shangdi
, so the first character of his milk name (and of his brother too) was di, in reference to the god.
. On that occasion, he chose himself the baptized name (教名) of Rìxīn (日新), meaning "renew oneself daily".
around 1883. Qu Feng-chi (區鳳墀 Qū Fèngchí) gave Sun the pseudonym name Yìxiān (逸仙), which in Cantonese
is pronounced "Yat-sen" (IPA: [(ɕyn˥) jɐt˨ ɕin˥]). As this was the name that he used in his frequent contacts with Westerners at the time, he became known under this name in the West. In the Chinese world, however, almost nobody uses the Mandarin version Sun Yixian, nor the Cantonese version Sun Yat-sen. When he signs his name in English, he uses this name variation Sun Yat-sen.
A street in Macau
, though has the name Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (孫逸仙大馬路 Sūn Yìxiān Dà Mǎ Lù). Many Chinese cities also have 逸仙路 Yìxiān Lù.
" (文以載道, wén yǐ zài dào). Courtesy names in China often tried to bear a connection with the personal name of the person. His courtesy name, however, was apparently seldom used, and is rarely known in the Chinese world. He has been referred to with Chinese surname
Chen
Zaizhi (陈载之).
, for Sun's safety, he used an alias name to register in the hotel.
Previously on their travel they passed by a board that used the popular Japanese name Nakayama
(中山, lit. middle mountain). So he signed into the hotel book and was referred to under that name. He then added the Japanese last name Shō (樵, lit. woodsman).
in 1912 he was no longer chased after by Qing authority. Local people can refer to him as (孫文) again. But the name Zhong-shan (中山) was the most commonly used later in his life (to present day). Today, the overwhelming majority of Chinese references to Sun use , which is a variation of the name that started in Japan.
Many cities in both mainland China and Taiwan feature streets and many other public facilities so named, for example Zhongshan Road
, Zhongshan Park
, Zhongshan warship
. Xiangshan County
was renamed to Zhongshan
apparently as an honour.
government officially conferred on the late Sun the title Gúofù (國父), meaning "Father of the Nation". This title is still frequently used in the Republic of China
in Taiwan
. In the People's Republic of China
on mainland China
, the title "Forerunner of the Revolution" (革命先行者 Gémìng Xiānxíngzhě) is sometimes used instead. Hong Kong, however have long been referring to Sun Yat-sen as Father of the nation, despite the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong back to the PRC in 1997.
The suffix Xīanshēng (先生) has also been applied to his name. In English and many other languages, the equivalent of "Dr. Sun" is often seen.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
, Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
used different names at different points in his life and he is known in China under several of them. Names are not taken lightly in Chinese culture. This reverence goes as far back as Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
and his insistence on "rectification of names."
In addition to the names and aliases
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
listed below, Sun Yat-sen also used other aliases while he was a revolutionary in exile.
Genealogical name: Sūn Démíng (孫德明)
The "real" name of Sun Yat-sen, the name inscribed in the genealogical records of his family, is Sūn Démíng (孫德明). This genealogical name" (譜名, pǔ míng) is what extended relatives of the Sun family would have known him by. This is a name that was used in formal occasions. The first Chinese character of the given name, dé (德), is the generation characterGeneration name
Generation name, variously zibei or banci, is one of the characters in a traditional Chinese name, and is so called because each member of a generation share that character, unlike surnames or given names...
which he shared with his brother and his relatives on the same generation line. Traditionally, this name was not used in intercourse with people outside of the family, and inside China or Taiwan almost nobody knows that his real name was Sun Deming (although other historical figures such as Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
are known by their "register name"), and even many Chinese people wrongly assume that Deming was his courtesy name (字, zì).
Big name: Sūn Wén (孫文)
Sun's original name (原名) was Sūn Wén (孫文). This is also referred to as his big name (大名). Colloquially, "big name" (大名) are also known as school name. Whereas the "milk name" is known as the "small name" (小名, xiǎo míng).His name Sun Wen is very well known among Chinese. After attaining public office, Sun consistently used this name - Sun Wen - to sign official documents.
Small name: Sūn Dìxiàng (孫帝象)
Traditionally, Chinese families would wait a certain number of years before officially naming their offspring. In the meantime, they used so-called "milk names" which were given to the infant shortly after his birth, and which were known only by the close family.Thus, his child name was Sun Dìxiàng (孫帝象). So this name Sun Dìxiàng is also referred to as his small name (小名). This name, however, was not the name that he received when he was born.
Sun's parents dedicated his name to the Heavenly Upper Emperor / Xuan Wu Shangdi
Xuan Wu (god)
Xuan Wu , posthumously known as The Dark/Mysterious Heavenly Upper Emperor , as well as True Warrior Grand Emperor , and commonly known as The Northern Emperor or Emperor Lord or Teh Kong in Hokkien...
, so the first character of his milk name (and of his brother too) was di, in reference to the god.
Baptised name: Sūn Rìxīn (孫日新)
In 1883, 17-year-old Sun Yat-sen was baptized as a Christian when he started his studies in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. On that occasion, he chose himself the baptized name (教名) of Rìxīn (日新), meaning "renew oneself daily".
Western name: Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙)
This is the name he used while he was a student in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
around 1883. Qu Feng-chi (區鳳墀 Qū Fèngchí) gave Sun the pseudonym name Yìxiān (逸仙), which in Cantonese
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
is pronounced "Yat-sen" (IPA: [(ɕyn˥) jɐt˨ ɕin˥]). As this was the name that he used in his frequent contacts with Westerners at the time, he became known under this name in the West. In the Chinese world, however, almost nobody uses the Mandarin version Sun Yixian, nor the Cantonese version Sun Yat-sen. When he signs his name in English, he uses this name variation Sun Yat-sen.
A street in Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
, though has the name Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (孫逸仙大馬路 Sūn Yìxiān Dà Mǎ Lù). Many Chinese cities also have 逸仙路 Yìxiān Lù.
Courtesy names: Zàizhī (載之)
Later, Sun Yat-sen chose a courtesy name (字) which was Zàizhī (載之, meaning "conveying it"). Based on the Chinese philosophical saying "literature as a vehicle to convey the TaoTao
Dao or Tao is a Chinese word meaning 'way', 'path', 'route', or sometimes more loosely, 'doctrine' or 'principle'...
" (文以載道, wén yǐ zài dào). Courtesy names in China often tried to bear a connection with the personal name of the person. His courtesy name, however, was apparently seldom used, and is rarely known in the Chinese world. He has been referred to with Chinese surname
Chinese surname
Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...
Chen
Chen (surname)
Chén or Chan is one of the most common East Asian family names. It ranks as the 5th most common surname in China, as of 2007 and the most common surname in Singapore and Taiwan . Chen is also the most common family name in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hong Kong...
Zaizhi (陈载之).
Japanese name: Nakayama Shō (中山樵)
In September 1895 young Japanese philosopher Miyazaki Touten was passionate about the revolutions in China. As a friend he wanted to help Sun while he was in Japan. When they arrived at the (對鶴館) hotel in Miyazaki PrefectureMiyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, for Sun's safety, he used an alias name to register in the hotel.
Previously on their travel they passed by a board that used the popular Japanese name Nakayama
Nakayama
Nakayama may refer to:*Nakayama, Ehime, a town in Ehime Prefecture*Nakayama, Tottori, a town in Tottori Prefecture*Nakayama, Yamagata, a town in Yamagata Prefecture*Nakayama-dera, a temple in Hyōgo Prefecture...
(中山, lit. middle mountain). So he signed into the hotel book and was referred to under that name. He then added the Japanese last name Shō (樵, lit. woodsman).
Chinese name: Sun Zhong-shan (孫中山)
After the establishment of the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in 1912 he was no longer chased after by Qing authority. Local people can refer to him as (孫文) again. But the name Zhong-shan (中山) was the most commonly used later in his life (to present day). Today, the overwhelming majority of Chinese references to Sun use , which is a variation of the name that started in Japan.
Many cities in both mainland China and Taiwan feature streets and many other public facilities so named, for example Zhongshan Road
Zhongshan Road
Zhongshan, Jhongshan or Chung Shan is a common name of Chinese roads, usually in honour of Sun Yat-sen, better-known in Chinese as "Sun Zhongshan", who is considered by many to be the "Father of modern China"....
, Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Park is a common name of Chinese parks, in honour of Sun Yat-sen, better-known in Chinese as Sun Zhongshan, who is considered by many to be the "Father of modern China"...
, Zhongshan warship
Zhongshan (warship)
Chung Shan , originally named Yung Feng , is a Chinese gunboat built in Japan in 1913 of 830 tons and later renamed in 1925 Chung Shan in honor of Dr...
. Xiangshan County
Xiangshan County
Hsiang-shan County was a county in southern China. Since 1912, it was a county in Kwangtung Province, in the Republic of China...
was renamed to Zhongshan
Zhongshan
Zhongshan , also spelled Chungshan and historically known as Xiangshan or Siangshan, is a prefecture-level city in the south of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province in southern China. Zhongshan, one of the few cities in China with an eponymous name, is named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen who was...
apparently as an honour.
Honorary titles: Gúofù (國父) and Xīanshēng (先生)
In 1940, well after the death of Sun Yat-sen, the KuomintangKuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
government officially conferred on the late Sun the title Gúofù (國父), meaning "Father of the Nation". This title is still frequently used in the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. In the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
on mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, the title "Forerunner of the Revolution" (革命先行者 Gémìng Xiānxíngzhě) is sometimes used instead. Hong Kong, however have long been referring to Sun Yat-sen as Father of the nation, despite the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong back to the PRC in 1997.
The suffix Xīanshēng (先生) has also been applied to his name. In English and many other languages, the equivalent of "Dr. Sun" is often seen.