Alysa Liu’s Chinese Name Reveals Something Deeper Than Sound

When I first saw the news about Alysa Liu’s world title, I was stunned by her performance—and then surprised again when I learned she was born in Clovis, right here in the Fresno area where I live. How did I miss this? Even though she moved away at a young age, knowing she was once here made me feel a subtle local connection.

Then I saw her Chinese name: 刘美贤 (劉美賢, Liu Meixian). That’s when the naming side of my brain kicked in.

Not a Transliteration. Something Deeper.

Many global celebrities who build followings in Greater China receive transliterations—names created by matching sounds from their original names. Alysa Liu’s Chinese name isn’t that at all.

Born and raised in the U.S., Alysa Liu is American through and through. Her given name—Alysa—is the one she competes under and the name known worldwide.

Her Chinese name, 刘美贤, is something else entirely:

It’s a name given by her family, part of her heritage—an understated legacy common to many Asian American children.

刘 (Liu) – Her family name, inherited from her father, Arthur Liu, who emigrated from China.

美 (Mei) – Beautiful.

贤 (Xian) – Virtuous, talented, wise.

It’s a name chosen not to replicate Alysa’s sound but to express something timeless: a parent’s hopes, a cultural anchor, a blessing from one generation to the next.

A Hidden Echo Between Her Two Names

At first glance, Alysa Liu’s English and Chinese names seem completely different. But looking closer, I couldn’t help but notice a poetic resonance—perhaps unintentional, yet meaningful nonetheless.

Consider the “A” in Alysa standing for America, 美国 (Meiguo) in Chinese, with 美 (mei) meaning “beauty.” The “ly” in Alysa recalls 丽 (li), from 美丽 (mei li), meaning “beautiful.” And the “sa” ending evokes 淑 (shu), often paired with 贤 (xian) in 贤淑 (xian shu), describing someone gracious, wise, and refined.

Her Chinese name, 美贤, poetically captures the essence of 美丽贤淑 (beautifully graceful and nobly refined). Similarly, “Alysa” softly echoes the second parts of this phrase (丽 li, 淑 shu). Thus, 美贤 (mei xian) and Alysa (a-li-sa or li-shu) gently harmonize across languages.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into it—perhaps it’s coincidental—but this subtle harmony across two naming traditions feels like a gentle, beautiful mystery. Her English and Chinese names aren’t mere copies; they quietly complete each other.

The Bigger Picture: Identity Across Cultures

Alysa Liu’s story resonates with many second-generation Americans. Her English name carries her public identity, and her Chinese name—刘美贤—is her heritage. But rather than hiding this second identity, she places it first in her Instagram profile, as if declaring: “This is part of me, too.”

In our increasingly connected, cross-cultural world, names aren’t just labels—they’re identities bridging generations, languages, and aspirations. Some names echo; others inherit or bridge.

What This Means for High-Stakes Naming

As someone who helps people discover the right Chinese name, I see naming as having three layers:

Phonetic – A name that sounds similar.

Aspirational – A name expressing meaning or hope.

Strategic – A name aligning identity with audience goals.

In Alysa’s case, 刘美贤 may have begun quietly as a family legacy. Yet, as she rises in prominence, her Chinese name now stands confidently alongside her public identity—not demanding the spotlight but also no longer hidden. It’s intentional, visible, and richly meaningful.

Final Thought

The world saw Alysa Liu’s grace on the ice. Her Chinese name, 刘美贤, reminds us of the deeper grace her family hoped for—and quietly passed down.

Two names. Two worlds. Different, yet inseparable. Perhaps that’s the mark of a truly great name—it doesn’t just name you; it knows you.