yuán · tone 2
Meaning
source, origin
In names
源 (yuán) is one of the 3,500 common characters in the 通用规范汉字表. Its basic meaning is “source, origin”. In names, it carries a 'natural / scholarly' feel. The source of a river; used in 思源 and 源远. It appears in names such as 思源, 源溪. The tone is 2; practice the sound before you introduce the name.
Structure and etymology
A common character in Chinese given names.
Names that use this character
Naming notes
The source of a river; used in 思源 and 源远.
Tags: natural, scholarly. It reads as unisex in modern names.
Reference: Unihan database · Chinese Text Project. Meanings here are editorial summaries for naming, not full dictionary definitions.