Xianxia and Wuxia Names: A Guide to Daoist Titles and Character Lore

Xianxia (仙侠, cultivation fantasy) and Wuxia (武侠, martial arts fiction) rely on structured naming conventions to define a character's background, faction, and martial specialty.

Whether you write fantasy stories, design tabletop campaigns, or create original characters for RPG games, this guide outlines how to assemble authentic names in these genres.

1. Compound Surnames (复姓)

While most modern Chinese surnames consist of a single character, fantasy fiction frequently uses two-character compound surnames associated with historical clans:

• 欧阳 (Ōuyáng): Frequently associated with sword-makers and scholars.
• 慕容 (Mùróng): Associated with aristocratic northern lineages.
• 独孤 (Dúgū): Associated with independent swordsmen.
• 百里 (Bǎilǐ): Associated with travelers and military strategists.
• 诸葛 (Zhūgě): Associated with tactical advisors and Daoist diviners.

2. Four Parts of a Xianxia Character Profile

A complete character profile typically includes four naming components:

1. Given name (本名)

The mortal name used before entering a sect, such as 陆九霄 (Lù Jiǔxiāo) or 沈沧溟 (Shěn Cāngmíng).

2. Daoist title (道号)

A spiritual title adopted upon reaching a recognized cultivation stage: Examples: 九霄剑尊 (Nine Heavens Sword Sovereign) or 太乙真君 (Taiyi True Lord).

3. Faction or sect (宗门道统)

• Sword sects (剑宗): Focus on weapon techniques and lightning disciplines.
• Alchemy pavilions (百草阁): Focus on medicine and herbal cultivation.
• Independent wanderers (散仙): Cultivators outside formal school hierarchies.

4. Bound spiritual weapon (本命法宝)

The character's primary weapon or artifact: Examples: 太阿剑 (Tai'a Sword) or 流光琴 (Luminous Zither).

3. Character Name Examples

Character Name	Daoist Title	Spiritual Root	Character Verse
陆九霄	九霄剑尊	Heavenly Yang	一剑霜寒十四州
叶凌霜	傲雪仙子	Ice Frost	冷月清辉照素心
沈沧溟	沧海散人	Ocean Spirit	乾坤入袖酒一壶
楚惊鸿	惊鸿神君	Wind Root	风雷一瞬定乾坤

4. Creating Your Own Character Name

To build an original name with titles, sects, and bound weapons, use our Chinese Fantasy Name Generator.