Chinese names run family-name-first: 王小明 is surnamed 王 (Wang), named 小明. The person addressed as "Mr. Wang" is 王先生 - title after name, opposite of English.
The surname pool
Roughly 100 surnames cover ~85% of the population: 王李张刘陈杨黄赵吴周 are the top ten - 王 alone is ~100 million people. Most surnames are one character; a few two-character ones survive （欧阳， 司马）. The names pill decks drill the frequent ones with the stories behind them.
The given name
One or two characters chosen for meaning: strength/virtue characters for boys classically （伟强勇）, beauty/nature for girls （美丽花）, though modern names trend unisex and literary - 子轩， 雨桐-style. A generation character shared among siblings/cousins was once standard and survives in many families: all brothers named 国-伟， 国-强， 国-军.
Choosing a Chinese name as a learner
Three workable approaches: (1) phonetic - surname approximating yours （李明 for "Lee", 马 for "Ma-"), plus a liked given name; (2) semantic - translate your name's meaning; (3) native-sounding - pick a common surname + a natural two-character given name. The rule above all: have a native speaker vet it - a name that sounds like a word or a famous person is a joke worn for years.
Addressing people correctly
Names invert the title rule: 王先生 is "Mr. Wang", 李老师 "Teacher Li", 王医生 "Dr. Wang" - family name plus role. Casual address adds 小 (small) or 老 (old) before the surname by rough age and familiarity: 小王 to a younger colleague, 老王 to an established peer. Full names (王小明) read formal or distant - you use them for introductions and roll call, not warmth.
Common questions
How do Chinese names work?
Surname first, given name second: 王小明 = Wang Xiaoming. Surnames are usually one character (~100 common ones), given names one or two chosen for meaning.
What is the most common Chinese surname?
王 (Wáng, "king") - roughly 100 million bearers. The top set 王李张刘陈 covers hundreds of millions.
How do I choose a Chinese name?
Pick a real common surname, then a natural-sounding given name (phonetic nod to your name helps). Essential last step: a native speaker checks it does not sound like a word, brand or celebrity.