Larry in Chinese
Larry in Chinese is 拉里 (Lā Lǐ).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- laurel, victory
The name traces back to Latin sources, where it is usually explained as "laurel, victory". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1940s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Lauren, Laura.
3 ways to write Larry
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
拉里
Lā Lǐ
The standard transliteration of Larry: 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"), 里 (lǐ, "village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 拉 (lā) carries "lar", 里 (lǐ) carries "ry". The tone contour is 1-3 (high level, dipping).
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
- 里
lǐ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
冠宇
Guàn Yǔ
Inspired by "laurel, victory": 冠 (guàn, "crown; champion") + 宇 (yǔ, "universe; eaves"), expressing victory and honor.
Why these characters?
冠 (crown; champion) answers the "laurel" in Larry's meaning, and 宇 (universe; eaves) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 冠
guàn
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
crown; champion
- 宇
yǔ
Tone 3 · 6 strokes (simplified)
universe; eaves
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
凯冠
Kǎi Guàn
凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song") + 冠 (guàn, "crown; champion"): a natural Chinese given name themed on victory and honor.
Why these characters?
No attractive character closely matches "lar" (lā), so 凯 ("triumph, victory song") and 冠 ("crown; champion") were chosen for victory and honor.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 冠
guàn
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
crown; champion
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 805,366 boys named Larry since 1880, with the high point in 1947 (34,935 births) and the busiest decade being the 1940s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #144 to #627 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1947
- Peak decade
- 1940s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 805,366
More About Larry in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Larry 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 Larry, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Lauren in Chinese, and Laura in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Lauren in Chinese, Laura in Chinese, and Craig in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Cesar in Chinese, Randy in Chinese, Jace in Chinese, Dillon in Chinese, and Cristian in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Larry, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Larry 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 Larry translated into Chinese?
拉里 (Lā Lǐ), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Larry change in traditional Chinese?
No. 拉里 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
Is there a Chinese name for Larry with real meaning?
Try 冠宇 (Guàn Yǔ): crown; champion + universe; eaves, inspired by "laurel, victory". For something that still sounds like Larry, 凯冠 (Kǎi Guàn) is a middle ground.