When a son is born the father or the grandfather chooses a name for the infant boy which, according to his horoscope, is likely to insure him success, or a name is selected which indicates the wish of the family for the new-born child.

Hence such names as "happiness", "prosperity", "longevity", "success", and others, with like propitious import, are common in China.

With regard to girls their names are generally selected from flowers, fruits, or trees.

Particular care is taken not to use a name which has a bad meaning.

In Washington I once met a man in an elevator whose name was "Coffin".