Elizabeth in Chinese
Elizabeth in Chinese is 伊丽莎白 (Yī Lì Shā Bái).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God is my oath
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "God is my oath". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Isabella, Lisa, Isabel, Isabelle.
3 ways to write Elizabeth
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
伊丽莎白
Yī Lì Shā Bái
The standard transliteration of Elizabeth: 伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"), 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"), 莎 (shā, "sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')"), 白 (bái, "white, pure"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 伊 (yī) carries "e", 丽 (lì) carries "li", 莎 (shā) carries "za", 白 (bái) carries "beth". The tone contour is 1-4-1-2 (high level, falling, high level, rising).
Character breakdown
30 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
- 莎
shā
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')
- 白
bái
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
white, pure
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
佑安
Yòu Ān
Inspired by "God is my oath": 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection") + 安 (ān, "peace, safety"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
Because Elizabeth is linked to "God", the name leads with 佑 (blessing, protection); 安 (peace, safety) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
- 安
ān
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
peace, safety
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
伊天
Yī Tiān
伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)") + 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 伊 (yī), the same opening character as the transliteration 伊丽莎白, for the "e" sound, and replaces the rest with 天 ("heaven, sky") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
10 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Elizabeth
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Elizabeth ranked 15 among names recorded for girls, with 41,893 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 1,629,679 girls named Elizabeth since 1880, with the high point in 1990 (20,744 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #9 to #13 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1990
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,629,679
More About Elizabeth in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Isabella in Chinese, Lisa in Chinese, Isabel in Chinese, Isabelle in Chinese, and Elise in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Isabella in Chinese, Lisa in Chinese, and Isabel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Isabelle in Chinese, Elise in Chinese, Ashley in Chinese, Emily in Chinese, and Jennifer in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Elizabeth, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth in Chinese characters?
伊丽莎白 (Yī Lì Shā Bái), or 伊麗莎白 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 伊丽莎白 have?
30 strokes in simplified form and 41 in traditional; per character: 伊 6, 丽 8, 莎 11, 白 5.
How popular is the name Elizabeth?
US Social Security records show 1,629,679 girls named Elizabeth since 1880, with the high point in 1990 (20,744 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #9 to #13 among girls.