Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

Cai Yong’s daughter. Captured by the Xiongnu, but bought back by Cao Cao.

* Better known as the poetess Cai Wenji. An alternate style, Zhaoji (昭姬), is used in Lie Nu Hou Zhuan, while Wenji (文姬) is most commonly used (including in the Hou Han shu).

Cao Rui’s daughter and fourth child. Died in infancy. SGZ: Empress Zhen, Yang Fu.

Elder of Wu’s Qiao Sisters. Sister to Xiao Qiao. Married to Sun Ce.

* Da (大), in this context, translates to ‘Big’, thus ‘Elder’. Rather than refer to her as the ‘Older Qiao’, the name Da Qiao has become a popular alternative. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were names first used by Koei in Dynasty Warriors 3 when the characters were introduced. [Note that Da4 and Xiao3 can still be used in context in modern times when used in families, also that it’s usually the surname used after the “Da/Xiao” part] for example someone called Qiao Zhi Lian, and their sister Qiao Zhi Li, may be called in families Da/ Xiao Qiao!]

Wang Yun’s adopted daughter. Helped to kill Dong Zhuo. Fictional.

* Also known as Sable Cicada. [Are there Han Zi for this? I can pronounce it if need be -Tongy]

Wife of Cao Cao and mother of Cao Pi. Made empress dowager when Cao Pi became emperor.

Second daughter of Cao Cao. Emperor Xian’s empress after death of Empress Fu.

* Also known as Empress Cao, Empress Xianmu (獻穆皇后) and Duchess Shanyang.

Wife of Emperor Xian. From Langya. Daughter of Fu Wan. Executed by Cao Cao.

* Commonly referenced simply as ‘Empress Fu’.

Concubine and later Empress of Liu Bei. She was a native of Pei.

One of Cao Pi’s wives, said to have spread doubts about Cao Rui’s birth.

Emperor Shao’s mother. He Jin’s half-sister. Died of grief or through suicide.

Consort and later Empress of Liu Bei. From Chenliu. Wu Yi’s sister.

* Empress Mu (穆皇后) is her traditional name. Informally, you will find her referenced as Empress Wu (吳皇后).

Daughter of Zhang Qi. Empress to Cao Fang. Ordered executed by Sima Shi.

Zhang Fei’s daughter. Empress Zhang married to Liu Shan. Zhang Xingcai in Koei games.

* ‘Empress Zhang’ or ‘Lady Zhang’ in the novel and other historic sources, she has been given a fictional personality by Koei under the name ‘Zhang Xingcai’ or simply ‘Xing Cai’. Both names refer to the same person, but the story given her in Koei games is fictional. I’ve recorded this as the English translation presents itself (so, Huanghou Zhang (empress Zhang) and Xing1cai3 as her given name)

Formerly Yuan Xi’s wife. Later married to Cao Pi. Became Empress.

* Empress Zhen is frequently called Zhen Ji, as she is named by Koei. Referenced elsewhere as Zhen Luo (甄洛) or Empress Wenzhao (文昭皇后). I’ve recorded this as Huang2hou4 Zhen1 (Empress Zhen), with Ji1 as her given name. To say her name as Koei suggests, use Zhen (surname) and Ji1 (given name) together.

Queen Himiko was the female ruler of pre-Japan’s Yamatai region. Contacted Wei in ...

* Sometime also called Pimiku or Pimiko. Precise pronunciation of her name is unknown as the kanji of her name were written prior to mid-20th century kanji reforms. Himiko may be a Chinese corruption of himemiko (princess priestess or lady shaman), which translates to ‘Sun Child’.

Zhuge Liang’s wife. Huang Chengyan’s daughter. Was very smart, but not beautiful.

Mother of Bao Chu. She lived more than 100 years.

Yuan Shao’s wife. Mother of Yuan Shang.

Consort of Liu Bei. Mi Zhu’s sister. Took her own life so Zhao Yun could save Liu ...

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Was a native of Juzhang in Kuaiji.

Sun Quan’s sister. Married to Liu Bei by Sun Quan, but later returned to Wu.

* Sun Shangxiang is Lady Sun’s name in most Koei Games. Sun Ren is incorrect. As is Sun Li, which you may come across. Her actual name is unknown. [This is the only audio file which I have used the style name first instead of the given name first, the reason being that most people know her as Sun Shang Xiang first rather than Sun Fei -Tongy]

Daughter of Sun Ce. Wife of Lu Xun. Her marriage bonded the Lu and Sun families.

* Sun Shi in Koei’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Mother of Sun He. Was a native of Langya.

* Lady Wang of Langya. Not to be confused with Lady Wang of Nanyang.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Mother of Sun Xiu. Was a native of Nanyang.

* Lady Wang of Nanyang. Not to be confused with Lady Wang of Langya.

Mother of Sun Quan and Sun Ce. Husband to Sun Jian. Endorsed marriage of lady Sun.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Was a native of Fuchun in Wu Commandary.

Wife of King Meng Huo. Said to be descended from the Goddess of Fire.

* Zhu4rong2 is her name, but Fei1 means literally “imperial concubine”

Former wife of Zhang Ji. Caught Cao Cao’s fancy while staying with Zhang Xiu.

* Appears as ‘Lady Zhou’ in Koei games, and in the Brewitt-Taylor translation. Lady Zou’s name is strange in meaning. Zou1 is a surname as expected, but Shi4 is a clan or maiden name.

Fictional character created by Koei. Daughter of Ma Teng. Married to Zhao Yun.

* Sometimes appears incorrectly as Ma Yunli.

The Chinese goddess. Created the first humans from the yellow earth.

Daughter of Sun Quan and Lady Bu. Sister to Sun Luyu. Quan Cong’s wife.

* Also known as Princess Quan. Dahu means ‘Big Tiger’.

Younger of Wu’s Qiao Sisters. Sister to Da Qiao. Married to Zhou Yu.

* Xiao (小), in this context, translates to ‘Little’, thus ‘Younger’. Rather than refer to her as the ‘Younger Qiao’, the name Xiao Qiao has become a popular alternative. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were names first used by KOEI in Dynasty Warriors 3 when the characters were introduced.[Note that Da4 and Xiao3 can still be used in context in modern times when used in families, also that it’s usually the surname used after the “Da/Xiao” part] for example someone called Qiao Zhi Lian, and their sister Qiao Zhi Li, may be called in families Da/ Xiao Qiao!]

Sister of Xin Chang. Advised him to go to Cao Shuang’s camp, saving his life.

Concubine of Dong Cheng. Her interactions with Qin Qingtong got Cheng killed.

Pang Yu’s mother. Killed Li Shou to avenge her father, Zhao Jun’an, then turned ...

* Zhao E 趙娥 usually appears by the name Zhao Eqin 趙娥親. Zhao E is most appropriate.

Trieu Au, female warrior of the Nanyue tribe. Rebelled against Wu. Defeated by Lu Yin.

* Known to the Vietnamese as Trieu Thi Trinh (Triệu Thị Trinh) or Trieu Au (Triệu Ẩu; Lady Trieu). I have pronounced the Chinese Zhao Yu, but dont know how to pronounce the Viet.