孝（xiao）
Name meaning
孝 (xiao) means filial respect, family-rooted virtue and moral seriousness.
Practical naming use
孝 (xiao) is a heavy virtue character, but in Chinese tradition it is more than obedience: it suggests family continuity, moral grounding and learned conduct. The Classic of Filial Piety and Fang Xiaoru together give it strong classical and historical depth. It works best in names that want seriousness and ethical weight.
Pair 孝 (xiao) with characters such as 文 (Wen) for cultivated conduct, 宁 (Ning) for steadier family warmth, 安 (An) for grounded calm or 谦 (Qian) for humility. The second character should soften the moral weight into a human name.
孝安 (Xiaoan): Xiao contributes filial respect, family virtue; An adds peace, safety.
Historical / name-use references
方孝孺 (Fang Xiaoru)
Ming scholar; 孝 (Xiao) appears in his given name.