‘Dog’ and ‘Little Pig’: The Chinese Nicknames Meant to Shield Children From Bad Luck

Families in ancient China sometimes gave their children humble or seemingly insulting nicknames, including “Dog” and “Little Pig,” believing the names could help protect them from bad luck.

The custom gave an unexpected protective meaning to words that might otherwise sound unkind. Rather than choosing only flattering terms, families used modest—and sometimes inappropriate—labels for their children.

Behind the practice was a belief that such nicknames could offer protection. Their intended meaning was therefore different from the insult a modern reader might hear in them.

The tradition highlights how a child’s nickname could carry more than affection or familiarity. For the families who followed this custom, an unappealing name was also an expression of concern for a child’s well-being.