序（xu）
Name meaning
序 (xu) means order, sequence, preface and the structure that gives things a beginning.
Practical naming use
序 (xu) is a rare but intelligible structure character. It suggests order, framing and thoughtful arrangement, which makes it feel literary and system-minded rather than decorative. In a name, it works best for families who like the idea of clarity, sequence and composed beginnings. It is especially useful for cultural depth, personality image, English-speaker explainability, because the character can carry a recognizable Chinese image without becoming empty dictionary filler. The best results come when the second character adds human direction, warmth, restraint or breadth, so the full given name feels lived-in rather than generic.
Pair 序 (xu) with characters such as 文 (Wen) for literary order, 宁 (Ning) for composed sequence, 明 (Ming) for clear arrangement or 承 (Cheng) for inherited continuity. The second character should soften the abstractness into a human name.
序文 (Xuwen): Xu contributes order, sequence; Wen adds culture, writing.