105 Vietnamese Boy Names: Meanings & Origins

A Vietnamese boy name is a small inheritance. Most are Sino-Vietnamese words for a virtue, an element of nature, or a wish, so the name you choose quietly tells your son what you hope he becomes.

You will find the classics here, along with rarer picks and a few that suit boys or girls alike. Every name lists its meaning, so you can match the sound to the significance.

Browse all 105 Vietnamese boy names below and find the one that fits your family.

105 Beautiful Vietnamese Boy Names

Here are 105 traditional and modern Vietnamese boy names, each with the meaning behind it:

Ái: A gorgeous Chinese and Vietnamese name that signifies affectionate, sentimental love.
An: Soft and admirable, this Sino-Vietnamese and Chinese name means safe or peace.
Anh: Perfect for nature lovers, Anh has meanings including brave, hero, and flower.
Bách: Meaning a hundred, Bách stands for abundance and long life, and also names the sturdy cypress tree.
Bảo: Meaning treasure, this precious name sparkles with joy.
Bảy: A rare name meaning seven, traditionally given to a seventh-born child.
Bình: A peaceful, gender-neutral name for a baby who brings calm to your life.
Cam: Meaning orange, this is a zesty and bright Vietnamese male name.
Châu: A unique yet stylish name for boys and girls that means pearl or gem.
Chí: This name translates to will or spirit, offering a sense of admirable strength.
Chi: In this specific tone, Chi translates from Sino-Vietnamese to mean twig or branch.
Chiến: A fierce pick for a combative little fighter.
Chinh: Set your boy on a path of righteousness with this mighty name.
Cường: A strong, vigorous name meaning power, ideal for a spirited little man.
Danh: Danh means fame or reputation, a hopeful pick for a boy you imagine one day making a name for himself.
Đất: Taking it back to mother nature, Đất translates to soil or earth.
Diệp: The autumnal meaning of leaves gives Diệp a peaceful, natural vibe.
Dông: Meaning both winter and east, this name holds a distinct adventurous feel.
Đức: Translates to virtue, making it a lovely pick for babies destined to do good.
Dũng: This courageous name means brave or bravery.
Dương: Meaning willow, this nature-inspired name sounds graceful and strong.
Duy: A steadfast name choice meaning to maintain or to preserve.
Gia: A warm, popular choice meaning family, home, and lineage, often paired into names like Gia Bảo.
Giang: We love the gentle flow of this tranquil name, which translates to river.
Hà: Also meaning river, this gender-neutral name flows with grace.
Hải: Holds all the vast, inspiring beauty of the sea or ocean.
Hào: A cool, gender-neutral name for a good and heroic individual.
Hien: If you expect a virtuous gentleman, this is a smart name to choose.
Hieu: A respectful name for a pious and dutiful child.
Hoàng: A regal Sino-Vietnamese name meaning yellow or golden, a color long tied to royalty and the imperial court ⁽¹⁾.
Hùng: A brave name for a courageous, manly guy.
Hưng: This softer-sounding name means prosperity or flourishing.
Huy: One of the most radiant Vietnamese names for boys, meaning brightness or shining.
Huynh: Perfect for an older brother, especially if you plan to grow your family.
Khắc: A firm, determined-sounding name with an overcoming spirit, well suited to a resilient boy.
Khang: Meaning health and well-being, Khang is a popular modern pick that wishes a life of comfort and peace on your son.
Khánh: If parenthood has you feeling joyous, you will love this name meaning to congratulate or celebrate.
Khoa: Suave and sophisticated, Khoa means knowledge, intellect, and science.
Khuê: With the confident meaning of stride, this is also a cool astronomy-themed name.
Khuong: This sweet name translates to an offer of help.
Kiên: A steadfast name meaning perseverance, Kiên suits a determined boy who sees things through.
Kiệt: Kiệt means hero or outstanding, a bold pick for a boy you expect to stand out.
Kim: A common name and surname internationally, referring to gold or metal in Vietnam.
Lan: A beautiful, traditional flower name for boys and girls meaning orchid.
Lanh: A perfect name to bless good, happy vibes upon your son.
Liêm: A charming choice for a man who lives a truthful and honest life.
Linh: One of the most popular Vietnamese names for boys and girls, with the ethereal meaning of spirit or soul.
Lôc: Means luck or blessings, and it also translates to a sweet flower bud.
Long: Meaning dragon, this Chinese and Vietnamese name is full of fire and might.
Lực: Meaning power, force, and strength, Lực suits a boy with plenty of energy to burn.
Lý: A powerful name in Vietnamese history that means reason.
Mạnh: Meaning strong or powerful, Mạnh is a sturdy classic for a boy full of energy.
Minh: A famous, widely used name meaning bright or clever.
Nam: Meaning south and manly, it is also a popular colloquial term for Vietnam itself.
Nghiêm: A serious, dignified name from Sino-Vietnamese, meaning strict or stern.
Ngọc: This gemstone name meaning jade suits beautiful boys just as well as girls.
Nguyên: In this tone, Nguyên means original, making it a great pick for a firstborn son.
Nguyen: The most popular surname in Vietnam also works as a smart given name.
Nhất: In this tone, Nhất translates to first, one, or long life.
Nhật: Just like the beautiful summertime, this name symbolizes the sun or day.
Nhung: A cute name meaning velvet, perfect for a baby with deliciously soft cheeks.
Oanh: A unique Sino-Vietnamese name meaning oriole, a type of singing bird.
Phong: Great for a baby born on a blustery day, Phong means wind.
Phú: Bless your child with abundance by choosing this name, which means rich or wealthy.
Phúc: Bestow the best upon your son with this glorious name meaning blessing or good fortune.
Phung: A smart, popular name said to possess the magical meaning of the phoenix.
Quân: A feisty name for a fiery lad, meaning army or soldier.
Quang: Meaning pure, bright, or clear, like a baby born in the beautiful rays of springtime.
Quế: Translating to cinnamon, this name is a sweet yet spicy pick.
Quoc: Meaning country, this makes a fantastic patriotic name option for a boy.
Quý: A precious name for a boy who behaves as good as gold.
Quyen: A versatile surname and first name meaning power or named after a type of bird.
Quỳnh: A rich, floral, unisex name after a blossom that blooms exclusively at night.
Sáng: A bright, cheerful name meaning light, a lovely fit for a little ray of sunshine.
Sơn: High and mighty, this classic name means mountain.
Suong: Said to mean fog, Suong holds an enchanting and mysterious allure.
Tài: Meaning talent or ability, Tài is a hopeful choice for a gifted child.
Tam: Said to mean heart, this sweet name is a delicate pick for a boy.
Thắng: Meaning victory, Thắng is a spirited choice for a little champion.
Thanh: A bright, fresh pick meaning blue, green, or pure, popular among Vietnamese Americans.
Thành: Meaning success or accomplishment, Thành carries a wish for a life well built.
Thảo: A handsome choice meaning herbal and grassy, or respectful and honorable.
Thu: Meaning autumn, this Sino-Vietnamese choice connotes crunchy leaves and crisp air.
Thuần: He will sound fresh as a daisy with this name meaning pure and clean.
Trai: An under-the-sea jewel of a name meaning oyster.
Trí: Meaning wisdom, this short and sweet moniker is easy to pronounce.
Triệu: A traditional Vietnamese surname that doubles as a first name meaning wave or tide.
Trúc: A fun, nature-inspired choice meaning bamboo in Vietnamese.
Trung: A highly popular Vietnamese male name that means loyalty.
Tư: A glittering name for a bright and sharp little star.
Tú: Meaning elegance or beauty, this name is fit for a handsome prince.
Tuân: You will adore the virtue meanings behind this name, including honorable, chivalrous, and gentlemanly.
Tùng: A warm, nature-inspired name meaning pine tree, reminding us of the winter forest.
Tuyen: One of the most gorgeous Vietnamese boy names, meaning ray or angel.
Vân: A fluffy, unisex pick for a baby with his head in the clouds.
Văn: Used in this tone, Văn means literature, making it ideal for a little scholar in the making.
Viên: Meaning full or complete, reflecting exactly how your new baby will make you feel.
Viện: With the unique meaning of institute, this is a rather formal and distinguished name.
Việt: Meaning Vietnamese, Việt is a fantastic nod to heritage and culture.
Vinh: This Sino-Vietnamese, gender-neutral name brings thoughts of glory and success.
Vũ: One of the most common Vietnamese surnames, working beautifully as a given name meaning feather or military.
Xanh: A cool color name after a tropical shade of green or blue.
Xuân: Meaning springtime, this name sounds full of bright possibilities and new beginnings.
Xương: You will adore this name destined for a flourishing little boy.
Yên: Meaning peaceful, this delicate name oozes serenity.

Vietnamese Boy Name FAQs

How Does Vietnamese Naming Order Work?

Vietnamese names run family name, then middle name, then given name, the reverse of the Western order. The family name usually passes from the father, and the given name comes last as the one people actually use. Parents choose that final given name for a virtue or aspiration, so it carries the real personal meaning.

What Vietnamese Boy Name Means “Brave”?

Dũng is the most direct Vietnamese boy name for brave, while Anh and Hùng both carry the sense of a hero or courage. If you want strong instead, Cường (power), Lực (force), and Mạnh (mighty) all fit a spirited, sturdy boy.

What Are Some Lucky Vietnamese Boy Names?

Phúc (blessing and good fortune), Lôc (luck and prosperity), Vinh (glory), and Xương (flourishing) are among the luckiest Vietnamese boy names. Each one is a small wish for a fortunate, prosperous life for your son.

What Is the Most Popular Vietnamese Boy Name?

Nguyen is the most recognized Vietnamese name worldwide, and it works mainly as a surname: it was the single most common family name in Vietnam at 31.5% of the population in 2022, and just 14 surnames together covered about 90% of everyone in the country as of 2005 ⁽²⁾. Among given names parents actually pick for boys today, short and bright choices like Minh, Bảo, and Khang are the everyday favorites.

Are There Gender Neutral Vietnamese Names?

Yes, many Vietnamese names suit boys or girls equally. Bình (peace), Châu (pearl), and Hà (river) all read as unisex, as do nature words like Linh (spirit) and Ngọc (jade). Tone and the middle name usually signal gender more than the given name itself.

Can I Use a Vietnamese Last Name as a First Name?

Yes. Turning a family surname into a given name is common in Vietnam, especially with names that carry a strong meaning on their own. Triệu (wave or tide) and Vũ (feather) are handsome examples that work naturally as a boy’s first name.

What Do Vietnamese Middle Names Mean?

A Vietnamese middle name often marks the child’s gender or generation, or adds poetic meaning to the given name. Văn has long been the classic middle name for boys, while Thị traditionally marked girls, so the middle name frequently does the gender-signaling work.

What Is a Good Vietnamese Boy Name for a Firstborn?

Nguyên, meaning original or first, is a fitting Vietnamese boy name for a firstborn son. Names that carry a sense of a strong start or greatness, like Thành (success) or Khang (well-being), also suit the child parents expect to lead the family.

How Do Tones Affect Vietnamese Baby Names?

Vietnamese is tonal, so the accent mark on a name changes its meaning entirely. The same spelling can point to very different things depending on the mark, which is why Chi and Chí, or Phú (wealth) and Phù (to help), are separate names. Getting the tone right is part of getting the name right.