Bailey in Chinese
Bailey in Chinese is 贝莉 (Bèi Lì).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- bailiff, steward
Etymologically, Bailey is English and is commonly glossed as "bailiff, steward". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1916 and peaked in 1998.
3 ways to write Bailey
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
贝莉
Bèi Lì
The standard transliteration of Bailey: 贝 (bèi, "shell, cowrie (treasure)"), 莉 (lì, "jasmine"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 贝 (bèi) carries "bai", 莉 (lì) carries "ley". The tone contour is 4-4 (falling, falling).
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 贝
bèi
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
shell, cowrie (treasure)
- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
若英
Ruò Yīng
Inspired by "bailiff, steward": 若 (ruò, "like, as if") + 英 (yīng, "hero; brilliant; flower"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
The idea of "steward" behind Bailey is rendered by 若, "like, as if"; 英, "hero; brilliant; flower", completes it.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 若
ruò
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
like, as if
- 英
yīng
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
hero; brilliant; flower
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
贝健
Bèi Jiàn
贝 (bèi, "shell, cowrie (treasure)") + 健 (jiàn, "healthy, vigorous"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 贝 (bèi), the same opening character as the transliteration 贝莉, for the "bai" sound, and replaces the rest with 健 ("healthy, vigorous") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 贝
bèi
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
shell, cowrie (treasure)
- 健
jiàn
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
healthy, vigorous
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Bailey
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Bailey ranked 183 among names recorded for girls, with 9,875 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 96,816 girls named Bailey since 1916, with the high point in 1998 (5,196 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #227 to #125 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1998
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1916
- Total since 1880
- 96,816
More About Bailey in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Bailey offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Bailey, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Faith in Chinese, Margaret in Chinese, and Makayla in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Miranda in Chinese, Brooklyn in Chinese, and Ariana in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Bailey, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Bailey to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Bailey translated into Chinese?
贝莉 (Bèi Lì), or 貝莉 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 贝莉 have?
14 strokes in simplified form and 17 in traditional; per character: 贝 4, 莉 10.
Is there a Chinese name for Bailey with real meaning?
Try 若英 (Ruò Yīng): like, as if + hero; brilliant; flower, inspired by "bailiff, steward". For something that still sounds like Bailey, 贝健 (Bèi Jiàn) is a middle ground.