Abstract:A Dream of Red Mansionscontains more than four hundred person names which can be divided into two categories of surname plus name and non--surname plus name. A surname plus name that is made up of words is just the symbol of a person. Words produce meanings, but the meanings in the words of a surname plus name are neglected when a surname plus name is heard or read as just the symbol of a person. In translating a surname plus name, the meanings in it is neglected while just the sounds of it are transmitted into the English text by Chinese alphabetic letters that can be read and understood by English readers. A non-- surname plus name, such as a nickname, is the expression of a given meaning instead of just the symbol of a person. In translating a non--surname plus name, the meaning of it is translated.