Slaves’ names in early Han China

The names inscribed on the funerary figurines from Fenghuangshan are almost our only evidence for the names of slaves during the Former Han period. The names seem to be a mixture of pejorative names like Disrespectful, Bear, Panther, Drunkie, Girlie, Captured, Bound, Carrier, and Round and names of virtuous personality traits like Gentleman, Lucky, Worthy, Trust, Stalwart, Appropriateness, and Contemplation. The names in the second category were common in the general population. A common name for female slaves sees to have been Increase (i.e. fertility).

Anthony J. Barbieri-Low, Artisans in Early Imperial China (2007), p. 318 note 224

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