How Chinese Names Are Written in Passports and Official Documents

The formatting of Chinese names in official documents follows specific rules that can be confusing for international travelers.

Passport Formats

Chinese passports display names in two formats:

**Machine-readable zone:** SURNAME<

**Visual inspection zone:** Surname + Given Names (standard order)

Name Order for International Travel

When flying internationally, Chinese travelers face a split:

**Chinese airlines:** Use surname + given name order

**International airlines:** Often expect given name + surname order

**Solution:** Book tickets exactly as the passport displays the name

Key Takeaways

Chinese passports use surname-first format by default

International travel creates confusion about name order

Always book flights matching your passport's name format exactly

FAQ

Q: Can Chinese citizens have English names on their passport? A: No. Chinese passports only carry the official Chinese name and its pinyin transliteration.

Q: What if my Chinese name has a double-character surname? A: Both characters are treated as the surname. For example, 欧阳修 (Ōuyáng Xiū) — Ōuyáng is the surname.

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Learn about naming traditions → Chinese Naming Traditions Explained