The name of the character Bao bao means baby. At the very beginning of The Kitchen God's Wife, the reader learns how this name reflects the childish personality of this character. Even though this character has a bizarre name, his personality is addressed quickly which does not encourage questioning and attention towards him. This character is not a major character in the novel, so this fits him well.
Two other characters in the novel are Mary and Pearl. Their names are both American names which reflects that they are both a second generation living in America. Unlike their cousin Bao Bao, they do not have nicknames (Amy Tan does not inform the readers of their nicknames before chapter six) which separates them from their Chinese heritage. This shows how much more Mary and Pearl are involved with American culture then their Chinese heritage.
According to a quick Google search, the name Whinnie, spelled the same way as the Whinnie in The Kitchen God's Wife, does not exist. This adds to the confusion of who Whinnie is and what she's been through. Since a large portion of the novel revolves around Whinnie's past and how she became who she is, I believe that a name that does not carry a significant meaning to the general audience fits her well. Having an unknown name allows the author to develop the character with out other influences like an artist would paint a blank piece of paper. Having an unusual name not only draws attention, but also encourages questions. Whinnie is a main focus in the novel so her name needs to draw its own attention.
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