Generation characters: a historical practice, not a universal rule
Some families have used a shared character to mark a generation; not every contemporary Chinese name follows such a pattern.
What the practice can mean
In particular lineages, relatives of the same generation may share one given-name character, sometimes selected from a sequence. The arrangement belongs to a family tradition rather than a universal rule of Chinese grammar. A foreign user should not invent a family generation character and present it as inherited.
Past and present differ
Research on generation names describes change over time and reduced use in modern contexts. A site can explain the practice and identify a documented example, but it should not automatically classify any repeated character as a generation marker. Only a family’s own evidence can support that claim.
Two cousins with names sharing 清 might have a family pattern—or merely share a popular character. The spelling alone cannot decide.
What to do with this
Use this history to understand a family’s naming story, not as a required step in creating your own name.
Sources & limits
Sources support the specific facts cited above. An editorial name interpretation is not an ancient quotation or proof of family ancestry.