"beautiful spirit/soul"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Mandarin
Meiling
Beautiful as jade, clear as its song
Chinese
Taiwanese
East Asian
Malaysian Chinese
Chinese
Elegant
Classic
Poetic
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
The Story of Meiling
Meiling (美玲 or 美靈) is a classic Chinese feminine name combining two beloved characters: mei (美), meaning beautiful, and ling (玲), meaning the clear tinkling of jade, or (靈) meaning spirit, soul, or supernatural essence. Together, the name evokes the image of beautiful jade making a delicate sound — an image deeply resonant in Chinese culture where jade symbolizes virtue, purity, and nobility.
Meiling has been a beloved name across Chinese-speaking communities for generations, reaching international recognition through Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek), one of the most powerful women of the twentieth century.
Jade is the most culturally significant gemstone in Chinese history — associated with heaven, immortality, and moral virtue — making ling-names carry an inherent sense of refinement and spiritual beauty.
Fun Facts
- Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek) was TIME magazine's Person of the Year in 1937 alongside her husband, and she addressed a joint session of the US Congress in 1943 — one of the first women to do so.
- Jade has been worked in China for over 7,000 years, predating Chinese civilization itself, making jade-related names among the oldest symbolic names in human culture.
Meiling in Other Languages
English
May-ling
Japanese
メイリン
Cantonese
Mei-ling
Chinese (Simplified)
美玲
Chinese (Traditional)
美玲
Popularity Over Time
#23,860
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1983
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Meiling
S
Soong Mei-ling
Politician
1898
First Lady of the Republic of China and influential political figure, known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek
M
Mei-Ling (Kung Fu Panda) Fictional
Entertainer
Character from the Kung Fu Panda animated franchise
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #23,860
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese Taiwanese East Asian Malaysian Chinese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mei
Ling
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
Sibling Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Meiling
What does the name Meiling mean?
"beautiful spirit/soul" (from Chinese). Meiling (美玲 or 美靈) is a classic Chinese feminine name combining two beloved characters: mei (美), meaning beautiful, and ling (玲), meaning the clear tinkling of jade, or (靈) meaning spirit, soul, or supernatural essence. Together, the name evokes the image of beautiful jade making a delicate sound — an image deeply resonant in Chinese culture where jade symbolizes virtue, purity, and nobility.
What is the origin of the name Meiling?
Meiling has Chinese, Taiwanese, East Asian, and Malaysian Chinese origins. In Chinese, it means "beautiful spirit/soul".
Is Meiling a boy or girl name?
Meiling is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Meiling?
Meiling is currently ranked #23860 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Meiling?
Common nicknames for Meiling include Mei and Ling.
What are good middle names for Meiling?
Popular middle name pairings include Meiling Xiu, Meiling Hua, Meiling Jing, Meiling Yu, and Meiling Zhen.
What are good sibling names for Meiling?
Names that pair well with Meiling as siblings include Xiulan, Fenghua, Jiawei, Yiming, and Shufen.
How many syllables does Meiling have?
Meiling has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Meiling a common or rare name?
Meiling is an uncommon name, ranked #23860 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Meiling
Meiling is a girl name with Chinese, Taiwanese, East Asian, and Malaysian Chinese origins . The name means "beautiful spirit/soul" in Chinese .
Meiling is currently ranked #23,860 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Meiling has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Meiling include Mei and Ling. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Meiling include Meilani, Meila . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.