Abstract: This paper clarifies the naming taboo for Prince Yonglian,Hier Apparent Duanhui. By analyzing a large number of textual evidence in relation to this tabooing case,this study uses e - textual research to shed new light on the complex naming taboo practices during the Qing dynasty. The first known case of naming taboo on Yonglian's name occurred in the ninth year of Jiaqing reign. To show respect towards his late brother,Jiaqing emperor ordered the newly appointed prefect of Jinzhou,Shanlian,to change the second character of his name to another " lian. " However, any previously appointed officials with this character in their names were permitted to keep their names. The tabooing rule then applied to anyone who took the provincial level exams. But this regulation did not extend to lower level clerks and commoners. For this reason,the character " lian" was almost obsolete among higher level officials through the late Qing. Nevertheless,such taboo was not enforced in books ( both manuscript and print). While there were instances where authors avoided the character by using an alternative character or omitting the last stroke in the character,such tabooing practice was not consistent or commonplace. This proves that the naming taboo for Yonglian was nowhere regulated enough to be used as proof for dating texts. For example,Jia Lian,a major character in the Dreams of the Red Chamber shares the character " lian" with Prince Yonglian. But I argue that one cannot date a specific version of said book solely based on whether Jia Lian's name was altered (or not) in observation of the naming taboo.

Key words: Hier Apparent Duanhui: Yonglian, the naming taboo, big data, e-textual research