栋 (dòng): meaning in a Chinese name
栋 (dòng) means ridgepole. In Chinese names it is a Wood-element character with 9 strokes.
ridgepole
pillar of support
In five-element thinking, Wood carries growth, vision, gentle strength. A name built on 栋 leans on that energy. More Wood element Chinese names or read what the five elements mean.
The radical
the wood radical (木): a living tree, which suggests growth, vitality, and quiet, rooted strength.
As a given-name character, 栋 leans masculine, but a skilled namer pairs it for balance and sound. It is 9 strokes to write.
The image behind the character
桂栋兮兰橑
《楚辞·湘夫人》（屈原）
栋 appears in this classical line. Read it as the picture the character draws on. It is part of why the character carries the feeling it does.
More Wood characters
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