Jordan in Chinese
Jordan in Chinese is 乔丹 (Qiáo Dān).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- to flow down
Jordan is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "to flow down". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1990s. Spellings pronounced the same way include Jordyn, which share the transliteration 乔丹. About 26% of US babies with this name were girls, so it is effectively unisex.
3 ways to write Jordan
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
乔丹
Qiáo Dān
The standard transliteration of Jordan: 乔 (qiáo, "tall, lofty"), 丹 (dān, "red; cinnabar; sincere heart"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 乔 (qiáo) carries "jor", 丹 (dān) carries "dan". The tone contour is 2-1 (rising, high level).
Character breakdown
10 strokes total (simplified)- 乔
qiáo
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
tall, lofty
- 丹
dān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
red; cinnabar; sincere heart
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
海川
Hǎi Chuān
Inspired by "to flow down": 海 (hǎi, "sea, ocean") + 川 (chuān, "river"), expressing water and the sea.
Why these characters?
The idea of "flow" behind Jordan is rendered by 海, "sea, ocean"; 川, "river", completes it.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 海
hǎi
Tone 3 · 10 strokes (simplified)
sea, ocean
- 川
chuān
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
river
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
乔川
Qiáo Chuān
乔 (qiáo, "tall, lofty") + 川 (chuān, "river"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 乔 (qiáo), the same opening character as the transliteration 乔丹, for the "jor" sound, and replaces the rest with 川 ("river") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
9 strokes total (simplified)- 乔
qiáo
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
tall, lofty
- 川
chuān
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
river
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Jordan
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Jordan ranked 94 among names recorded for boys, with 21,955 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 369,745 boys named Jordan since 1880, with the high point in 1990 (16,133 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #29 to #73 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1990
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 369,745
More About Jordan in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Jordan 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 Jordan, you'll find options that work for you.
Jordan is also spelled Jordyn — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
If you're exploring Chinese names for people, you might also be interested in Jordyn in Chinese, Taylor in Chinese, and Angel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jamie in Chinese, Avery in Chinese, Leslie in Chinese, and Aubrey in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Jordan, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Jordan 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 Jordan in Chinese characters?
乔丹 (Qiáo Dān), or 喬丹 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Jordan?
US Social Security records show 369,745 boys named Jordan since 1880, with the high point in 1990 (16,133 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #29 to #73 among boys.
Is Jordan written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 乔丹 becomes 喬丹; the changed characters are 乔→喬. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.