What Does the Name Ling Mean?
Ling is a girl's name of Chinese origin meaning “"tinkling of jade" or "spirit".”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ling |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Chinese |
| Meaning | "tinkling of jade" or "spirit" |
| Variants | Ling-Ling, Lingling |
| Popularity | A common feminine name and name-element in China, often used in reduplicated form (Ling-Ling) as an affectionate name. |
The meaning and origin of Ling
The name Ling means “"tinkling of jade" or "spirit"” and has Chinese origins. From Chinese 玲 (líng) meaning "tinkling of jade," or alternatively 灵 (líng) "spirit, soul," 铃 (líng) "bell," or 凌 (líng). It carries delicate, melodic connotations.
Variants and related names
Ling is related to several other names you may recognize: Ling-Ling, Lingling. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ling?
A common feminine name and name-element in China, often used in reduplicated form (Ling-Ling) as an affectionate name.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ling mean?+
The name Ling means “"tinkling of jade" or "spirit"” and is of Chinese origin.
What is the origin of the name Ling?+
Ling originates from Chinese.
Is Ling a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ling has trended in the US over time.
Ling by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press