The eponymous title Baopuzi derives from Ge Hongs hao (), the hao being a type of sobriquet or pseudonym. Baopuzi literally means "The Master Who Embraces Simplicity;" compounded from the words bao () meaning "embrace; hug; carry; hold in both arms; cherish"; pu () meaning "uncarved wood", also being a Taoist metaphor for a "persons original nature; simple; plain"; and, zi (子) meaning "child; offspring; master (title of respect)". Baopu (Pao-pu; literally:"Simplex"), is a classical allusion to the Tao Te Ching' (19):
Ge Hong's autobiography explains his rationale for choosing his pen name Baopuzi.
<blockquote>
Compare these autobiography translations: "people all call me a pao-pu scholar (i.e., one who keeps his basic nature, one who is unperturbed by the desires of the world)"; "among the people of his district there were those who called him "The Scholar Who Embraces Simplicity"." Wu and Davis noted, "This name has been translated Old Sober-Sides, but Dr. Wu considers that it has no satirical intent and would better be translated Solemn-Seeming Philosopher'." Fabrizio Pregadio translates "Master Who Embraces Spontaneous Nature".