Naming Conventions in Chinese Tech Companies: Cultural Roots and Management Implications

In Chinese internet giants (BAT), employees rarely address each other by titles or real names. Instead, they use nicknames, English names, or the "classmate" format. This article explores the cultural background, official explanations, and management theories behind this practice.

Examples of naming styles:

Tencent: English names such as "Pony" or "Mujihuang".

Alibaba: Nicknames like "Feng Qingyang", "Xiaoyaozi", "Lin Daiyu".

ByteDance: "Name + classmate", e.g., "Yiming classmate".

Official explanations:

Tencent emphasizes a flat organizational structure and the value of "equality and respect", using English names to weaken hierarchical perception.

ByteDance aims to reduce hierarchy by prohibiting titles such as "boss", "teacher", etc., to encourage free idea flow.

Management theory perspective:

The article references the Power Distance Index (PDI), which measures the acceptance of unequal power distribution. High PDI (as seen in China, Russia, Korea) can lead to pressure, reduced openness, and even safety incidents (e.g., Korean Air Flight 801). In contrast, low‑PDI environments (e.g., innovative tech firms) benefit from egalitarian communication, fostering creativity.

Practical recommendations for companies:

English names : Suitable for internationally oriented teams where English is commonly used.

Nicknames (花名) : Reflect Chinese culture but may be hard to remember.

Name + classmate : Simple, memorable, and recommended.

The article concludes that avoiding hierarchical titles is part of an "engineer culture" that promotes equal communication, innovation, and better talent attraction. Managers should be cautious not to indulge in the power‑driven pleasure of being called "boss", as it can stifle team creativity.

References: Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, Malcolm Gladwell’s "Outliers", and various Chinese media sources.