Curtis in Chinese
Curtis in Chinese is 柯蒂斯 (Kē Dì Sī).
- Origin
- French
- Meaning
- courteous
Etymologically, Curtis is French and is commonly glossed as "courteous". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1960s.
3 ways to write Curtis
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
柯蒂斯
Kē Dì Sī
The standard transliteration of Curtis: 柯 (kē, "axe-handle; branch"), 蒂 (dì, "stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 柯 kē + 蒂 dì + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 1-4-1 (high level, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
34 strokes total (simplified)- 柯
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
axe-handle; branch
- 蒂
dì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
恩泽
Ēn Zé
Inspired by "courteous": 恩 (ēn, "grace, kindness") + 泽 (zé, "pool; grace, favor"), expressing grace and kindness.
Why these characters?
The idea of "courteous" behind Curtis is rendered by 恩, "grace, kindness"; 泽, "pool; grace, favor", completes it.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 恩
ēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
grace, kindness
- 泽
zé
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
pool; grace, favor
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
柯嘉
Kē Jiā
柯 (kē, "axe-handle; branch") + 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 柯 (kē), the same opening character as the transliteration 柯蒂斯, for the "cur" sound, and replaces the rest with 嘉 ("excellent, praiseworthy") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 柯
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
axe-handle; branch
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
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Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 257,953 boys named Curtis since 1880, with the high point in 1962 (5,574 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #121 to #610 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1962
- Peak decade
- 1960s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 257,953
More About Curtis in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Curtis 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 Curtis, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Brody in Chinese, Dennis in Chinese, and Roberto in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Edwin in Chinese, Giovanni in Chinese, and Elias in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Curtis, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Curtis 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
What is Curtis in Chinese characters?
柯蒂斯 (Kē Dì Sī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Curtis with real meaning?
Try 恩泽 (Ēn Zé): grace, kindness + pool; grace, favor, inspired by "courteous". For something that still sounds like Curtis, 柯嘉 (Kē Jiā) is a middle ground.
How popular is the name Curtis?
US Social Security records show 257,953 boys named Curtis since 1880, with the high point in 1962 (5,574 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #121 to #610 among boys.