Sometimes available in used/rare book stores and often available in reference section of libraries in areas with large Chinese populations and in Universities with major Asian Studies programs. User must pay careful attention to DATES (some listed by Dynasty name rather than year) and to errata list at end of Vol. 2. Covers historical, legendary and mythological beginnings from Chinese history through late 1800s. Has many period names but also has some non-human names and many names pre- or post-period. Has some Mongol names but uses European version rather than Mongol or Chinese version of Mongol names. Wade-Giles transliteration (go figure - author is "Giles" of this transliteration fame). (Yin Mei Li)
Goodrich, L. Carrington & Chaoying Fang (editors). "Dictionary of Ming Biography 1368-1644, The Ming Biographical Project of the Association for Asian Studies," in two volumes. Columbia University Press: New York and London (1976). ISBN: 0-231-03801-1 (vol 1, pp. 1-1022, names starting A-L) and 0-231-03833-X (vol 2, pp. 1023-1751, names starting M-Z).
Most names in late period, some Chinese versions of European and Mongol names. Modified Wade-Giles transliteration. Not yet OOP. Available in reference section of many college libraries. (Yin Mei Li)
Shan, Lin. How to Name Your Baby in Chinese. Heian International: Union City, CA, 1988.
An alphabetical listing of many Chinese names, complete with the character, translation(s), and transliteration. There is also a little bit of information on how Chinese names are formed. The main problem with this book is that is it modern. There is no information about how period Chinese names were formed. Still, the use of this book along with some histories of China would be the place for someone who wanted a Chinese name to start. It is certainly better than nothing, but it should be used with caution. Recommended only as a start, not as an ultimate source. (JA)