The Chinese name "贝聿铭" is formed by combining three characters: "贝" is the surname, meaning "shell", while "聿" and "铭" together form the given name. "聿" means "brush" or "to write", and "铭" means "to engrave" or "inscription". This sequence creates a phonetic approximation of "I.M. Pei" while using characters with meanings associated with writing and lasting marks, constituting the complete name.