Meaning
great waves, expansive water
In names
澜 means great waves or expansive water. It is a literary character with a strong visual image: moving water, movement, and scale. In names it can suggest breadth, momentum, and a calm surface over deep water.
The character is less common than 兰 (orchid), so a name like 安澜 feels more distinctive than 安娜 while remaining easy to read. The water radical makes the meaning transparent to Chinese readers; the sound lán is a rising second tone.
澜 pairs especially well with calm characters such as 安 and 静, where the water image balances the stillness. It can also pair with 清 (clear) or 若 (like, as if) for a softer, more literary name. The main caution is the tone: English speakers may flatten lán; practice the rise.
Structure and etymology
A water radical (氵) with the phonetic 闌; the character means large waves or expansive water.
Names that use this character
Naming notes
Literary and watery; pairs with 安, 清, 若. Less common than 兰 but still readable.
Tags: natural, expansive. It reads as unisex in modern names.
Reference: Unihan database · Chinese Text Project. Meanings here are editorial summaries for naming, not full dictionary definitions.