Yao , the Chinese basketball superstar is enjoying his prestige and life in NBA now. Many people love him for his oriental kindness, humor but with a little irony. Then they put their wish or impose their hope on this big figure, expecting his growth faster and quicker.
In china,niickname is a somewhat reflection of what People's attitude towards this person. So if we just simply analyze Yao 's nickname, we will know what people like him or not.
Coach Van once called Yaoming as “Yao Monster”. The meaning of the word ”Monster” in dictionary is 1) an imaginary large ugly frightening creature in stories, 2) cruel person, or 3) a small child, especially one who is behaving badly, 4) just an object, animal etc. that is unusually large, or 5) dangerous problem. Though Yao is not a very handsome boy, But why Van gives Yao 's nickname like that! Is he scared about Yao 's background? Does every American fan thinks so? Maybe we can use a better English word with a capital M to describe Yao , which shall be Yao Master or Master Yao! Is this nickname better than Yao Monster?
Okey, all those above are American people's views about Yao Ming's nickname. As Yao is from Shanghai , China , the name-Yaoming is just an English spelling of his Chinese characters. So maybe most American people will not understand the real meanings hidden behind his Chinese name.
First of all, Yao is Yaoming's family name, which shows that he belongs to Yao family, telling us that he is a descendant of Chinese nation. And Ming, the given name is filled with his parents or families' expectation. Ming have three major meanings : 1) Ming refers to Brightness. So Yaoming's Chinese meaning is Bright Yao, or Smart Yao;2)Ming refers to Tomorrow, So Yaoming also can be thought as Tomorrow Yao; 3)Ming refers to one Chinese Dynasty-Ming Dynasty. So Yaoming also can be called as King Yao.
Secondly, We can also give Yao a nickname based on the position in the game. Yao 's role in Houston shall be a center. So there is no difficult to call Yao as Yao Center or Center Yao.
Finally, Yaoming's pronunciation has another meaning. Literally it shall be “life wanted” ; or We also can call Yao Ming as “Killer Yao”!
