Chanyu (also known as Chan-yu and Shanyu; Chinese: 單于; Chinese: 单于; pinyin: Chányú; short form for Chengli Gutu Chanyu (Chinese: 撐犁孤塗單于; pinyin: Chēnglí Gūtu Chányú; according to Book of Han, it means Heaven, Child, Immense appearance)) was the title used by the nomadic supreme rulers of Middle and Central Asia for eight centuries and was superseded by the title "Khagan" in 402 CE.