Miles in Chinese
Miles in Chinese is 迈尔斯 (Mài Ěr Sī).
- Origin
- Latin/Germanic
- Meaning
- soldier; merciful
Miles is a name of Latin/Germanic origin, generally understood to mean "soldier; merciful". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Miles
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
迈尔斯
Mài Ěr Sī
The standard transliteration of Miles: 迈 (mài, "to stride forward"), 尔 (ěr, "you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'"), 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: 迈 mài + 尔 ěr + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 4-3-1 (falling, dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 迈
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to stride forward
- 尔
ěr
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
刚毅
Gāng Yì
Inspired by "soldier; merciful": 刚 (gāng, "firm, strong") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
刚 (firm, strong) answers the "soldier" in Miles's meaning, and 毅 (resolute, persevering) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 刚
gāng
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
firm, strong
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
迈刚
Mài Gāng
迈 (mài, "to stride forward") + 刚 (gāng, "firm, strong"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 迈 (mài), the same opening character as the transliteration 迈尔斯, for the "mi" sound, and replaces the rest with 刚 ("firm, strong") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 迈
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to stride forward
- 刚
gāng
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
firm, strong
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Miles
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Miles ranked 49 among names recorded for boys, with 35,899 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 78,005 boys named Miles since 1880, with the high point in 2015 (3,731 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #269 to #110 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2015
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 78,005
More About Miles in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Miles 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 Miles, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Randy in Chinese, Jace in Chinese, and Dillon in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Larry in Chinese, Cristian in Chinese, and Drew in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Miles, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Miles 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 do you write Miles in Chinese?
迈尔斯 (Mài Ěr Sī), or 邁爾斯 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Miles?
US Social Security records show 78,005 boys named Miles since 1880, with the high point in 2015 (3,731 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #269 to #110 among boys.
How many strokes does 迈尔斯 have?
24 strokes in simplified form and 41 in traditional; per character: 迈 7, 尔 5, 斯 12.