Mei-Ling as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Mei-Ling

What is the meaning of the name Mei-Ling ?

The baby name Mei-Ling is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Mandarin (pinyin): Měi-líng (měi3 líng2) — approx. 'MAY-ling'. Cantonese (Jyutping): mei5 ling4 — approx. 'may-ling'..

Mei-Ling is Chinese in Origin.

Mei-Ling is a feminine Chinese given name from Mandarin Měilíng. Depending on the characters, it may be written 美玲 (“beautiful, tinkling-of-jade”), 美铃/美鈴 (“beautiful bell”), 美灵/美靈 (“beautiful, spirited”), or 梅玲 (“plum blossom, tinkling-of-jade”). The first syllable may be 美 ‘beautiful’ or 梅 ‘plum,’ while Líng commonly conveys delicacy, clarity, or a ringing sound, suggesting grace and lively intelligence.

The name has long been used across Chinese-speaking regions, with international familiarity rising in the early 20th century through Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek). It remains popular in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and within the overseas Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia and the West. Variants reflect romanization systems and stylistic choices: Meiling (Hanyu Pinyin, modern standard), Mei-ling (Wade–Giles style), Mei Ling (space), and the older May-ling/Mayling seen in English sources. Related forms include given names pairing Mei or Ling with other characters.