Violet in Chinese
Violet in Chinese is 维奥莱特 (Wéi Ào Lái Tè).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- violet flower
Violet is a name of Latin origin, generally understood to mean "violet flower". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Violet
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
维奥莱特
Wéi Ào Lái Tè
The standard transliteration of Violet: 维 (wéi, "to maintain, preserve"), 奥 (ào, "profound, mysterious"), 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 特 (tè, "special, particular"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 4 characters: 维 wéi + 奥 ào + 莱 lái + 特 tè. The tone contour is 2-4-2-4 (rising, falling, rising, falling).
Character breakdown
43 strokes total (simplified)- 维
wéi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
to maintain, preserve
- 奥
ào
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
profound, mysterious
- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 特
tè
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
special, particular
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
芷若
Zhǐ Ruò
Inspired by "violet flower": 芷 (zhǐ, "angelica (fragrant herb)") + 若 (ruò, "like, as if"), expressing flowers, trees and natural beauty.
Why these characters?
The idea of "violet" behind Violet is rendered by 芷, "angelica (fragrant herb)"; 若, "like, as if", completes it.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 芷
zhǐ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
angelica (fragrant herb)
- 若
ruò
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
like, as if
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
维茉
Wéi Mò
维 (wéi, "to maintain, preserve") + 茉 (mò, "jasmine (茉莉)"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 维 (wéi), the same opening character as the transliteration 维奥莱特, for the "vio" sound, and replaces the rest with 茉 ("jasmine (茉莉)") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 维
wéi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
to maintain, preserve
- 茉
mò
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
jasmine (茉莉)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Violet
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Violet ranked 18 among names recorded for girls, with 38,031 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 137,149 girls named Violet since 1880, with the high point in 2016 (4,858 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1290 to #48 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2016
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 137,149
More About Violet in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Violet 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 Violet, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Elise in Chinese, Monique in Chinese, and Eleanor in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Gracie in Chinese, Hayley in Chinese, and Aria in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Violet, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Violet 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 Violet in Chinese?
维奥莱特 (Wéi Ào Lái Tè), or 維奧萊特 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Violet with real meaning?
Try 芷若 (Zhǐ Ruò): angelica (fragrant herb) + like, as if, inspired by "violet flower". For something that still sounds like Violet, 维茉 (Wéi Mò) is a middle ground.
How many strokes does 维奥莱特 have?
43 strokes in simplified form and 48 in traditional; per character: 维 11, 奥 12, 莱 10, 特 10.