200+ Vietnamese Last Names With Meanings
Vietnamese last names are an interesting point within the range of rich culture and history of Vietnam.
Centuries of traditions mean that these names speak deeply of the family lineage, regional history, or heritage pride.
In Vietnam, the notion of surname, “họ,” is very important to shaping one’s identity.
Consequently, knowing the origin and distributing pattern of Vietnamese last names can provide a very fine insight into culture.
This article will consider the origin, significance, and other aspects in regard to the most common Vietnamese last names, including their role in contemporary society.
Vietnamese last names
Nguyễn – The most common Vietnamese surname, often associated with royalty or nobility, historically linked to the Nguyễn Dynasty.
Trần – One of the oldest surnames in Vietnam, related to the Trần Dynasty, which ruled from the 13th to 15th centuries.
Lê – A surname that signifies “profound” or “graceful” and is connected to the Lê Dynasty, which lasted from the 15th to the 18th century.
Phạm – This surname is believed to be linked to a famous military general in ancient times and may represent “a high-ranking officer.”
Huỳnh (or Hoàng) – A surname with royal connotations, meaning “yellow” or “golden,” symbolizing wealth and nobility.
Ngô – Often means “a noble or distinguished person” and is associated with the ancient Ngô Dynasty.
Vũ – This surname is believed to mean “military” or “warrior.”
Đỗ – A surname that is derived from the word “đỗ,” meaning “to pass an exam,” typically referring to intellectual achievement.
Bùi – A surname with no clear meaning but is believed to refer to a common family or regional name.
Dương – This surname means “sun” or “bright,” symbolizing optimism and vitality.
Lý – The Lý Dynasty ruled Vietnam for several centuries, and this surname is associated with nobility and wisdom.
Tạ – A surname that can mean “to repay,” signifying gratitude or respect.
Đặng – It is believed to mean “the upright one” or “to rise,” reflecting moral integrity.
Mai – A surname meaning “plum blossom,” representing purity and resilience.
Cao – A surname that signifies “tall” or “lofty,” symbolizing honor and respect.
Trương – This surname can mean “to expand” or “to flourish,” reflecting success and growth.
Lâm – A surname meaning “forest,” symbolizing strength, nature, and abundance.
Võ – A surname that means “warrior” or “martial,” reflecting military skill and strength.
Hồ – A surname that is believed to mean “lake” or “water,” representing tranquility and depth.
Tôn – A surname that refers to “respect” or “honor,” reflecting the value placed on family and tradition.
Hà – Meaning “river” or “stream,” signifying life-giving and continuous flow.
Phan – A surname that is thought to be derived from the word for “a branch” or “a descendant.”
Lưu – This surname means “to remain” or “to flow,” symbolizing persistence and resilience.
Quách – A surname often linked to a famous general, meaning “high” or “elevated.”
Kiều – This surname is often associated with beauty or grace, possibly meaning “elegant.”
Cung – Meaning “palace,” symbolizing royalty, power, or nobility.
Văn – A surname that translates to “literature” or “culture,” often indicating scholarly lineage.
Tú – A surname meaning “talent” or “outstanding,” often linked to highly regarded individuals.
Đinh – A surname that could mean “pillar” or “anchor,” symbolizing stability and strength.
Nghiêm – This surname means “strict” or “serious,” representing discipline and order.
Tạ – A surname that signifies “to respect” or “to offer gratitude,” reflecting humility and honor.
Khuất – Often refers to “the hidden” or “secret,” possibly symbolizing a reserved or mysterious nature.
Lộc – This surname translates to “prosperity,” associated with wealth and success.
Tân – Meaning “new” or “fresh,” reflecting a sense of renewal or change.
Châu – A surname meaning “pearl,” signifying rarity, beauty, and preciousness.
Thái – The word for “great” or “supreme,” often connected to high social or political rank.
Sơn – This surname means “mountain,” symbolizing strength, endurance, and stability.
Kỳ – Meaning “auspicious” or “fortunate,” signifying good luck or fate.
Vân – This surname means “cloud,” representing calmness, serenity, and freedom.
Ni – Derived from “tranquility,” symbolizing peace and harmony.
Bạch – Meaning “white” or “pure,” reflecting simplicity and clarity.
Tiết – A surname meaning “season,” symbolizing the cyclical nature of life.
Đoàn – Meaning “unite” or “group,” reflecting unity or a strong family bond.
Lý – A surname symbolizing “logic” or “reason,” indicating a family of scholars.
Mạc – A surname that refers to “to close” or “to shut,” symbolizing a family known for discretion.
Tử – This surname means “son,” often linked to family hierarchy and legacy.
Sỹ – A surname meaning “scholar,” symbolizing intellectual achievements.
Lộc – Referring to “good fortune” or “wealth,” representing prosperity.
Thái – Meaning “great” or “grand,” signifying high status or significance.
Khang – A surname meaning “peace” or “health,” symbolizing well-being and stability.
Cảnh – Meaning “scenery” or “view,” symbolizing beauty and peacefulness.
Đào – This surname means “peach,” often symbolizing vitality and good fortune.
Dí – Often linked to the concept of “direct” or “straightforward,” reflecting clarity.
Bắc – This surname translates to “north,” indicating a connection to northern regions or people.
Thành – Meaning “city” or “fortress,” symbolizing strength, protection, and defense.
Khuê – A surname meaning “star” or “bright,” symbolizing beauty or excellence.
Tình – Often associated with “love” or “affection,” signifying emotional warmth and connection.
Vũ – This surname can mean “universe” or “cosmos,” signifying vastness or infinity.
Hưng – Meaning “prosperous” or “flourishing,” reflecting wealth and success.
Kiên – A surname meaning “steadfast” or “firm,” symbolizing determination and resilience.
Nghĩa – This surname refers to “righteousness” or “justice,” representing integrity.
Giang – Meaning “river,” symbolizing continuity, flow, and life.
Bình – A surname meaning “peace” or “calm,” symbolizing harmony and tranquility.
Hoàng – Another form of the surname “Huỳnh,” meaning “yellow” or “golden,” often associated with royalty.
Hảo – Meaning “good” or “virtuous,” representing a family that values righteousness and kindness.
Nhân – This surname translates to “human” or “benevolent,” symbolizing humanity and compassion.
Hòa – Meaning “peace” or “harmony,” symbolizing unity and cooperation.
Mẫn – A surname that means “quick-witted” or “intelligent,” often linked to sharp minds.
Thủy – Refers to “water,” symbolizing adaptability and fluidity in life.
Tường – Meaning “wall” or “boundary,” signifying protection or stability.
Cường – A surname meaning “strong” or “powerful,” reflecting physical strength or influence.
Tú – This surname means “talented” or “outstanding,” symbolizing excellence.
Vĩnh – Meaning “eternal” or “perpetual,” representing something lasting or enduring.
Bình – This surname can also mean “level” or “equilibrium,” reflecting balance.
Thân – Meaning “body” or “close,” symbolizing intimacy or personal connection.
An – A surname meaning “peaceful” or “safe,” representing security and tranquility.
Hòa – Refers to “harmony,” symbolizing peace, balance, and unity.
Giao – Meaning “to cross” or “to meet,” symbolizing connection or intersection.
Chí – This surname can mean “aspiration” or “ambition,” representing goals or desires.
Châu – Another surname meaning “pearl,” symbolizing rarity and beauty.
Lý – A surname meaning “principle” or “reason,” often linked to logic and scholarship.
Tụ – Referring to “gathering” or “assembly,” symbolizing unity and strength in numbers.
Phú – Meaning “wealth” or “rich,” symbolizing prosperity and material success.
Thanh – A surname meaning “clear” or “pure,” representing clarity or righteousness.
Quý – Meaning “noble” or “precious,” reflecting high status or value.
Phúc – A surname meaning “blessing” or “happiness,” symbolizing good fortune and joy.
Sang – Meaning “bright” or “shining,” representing clarity or prominence.
Hải – This surname means “sea,” symbolizing vastness, power, and mystery.
Khoa – Meaning “academic” or “science,” reflecting a scholarly family.
Hạnh – Referring to “virtue” or “morality,” symbolizing goodness and ethical living.
Mỹ – Meaning “beauty” or “elegance,” symbolizing grace and charm.
Tuấn – This surname means “handsome” or “talented,” reflecting beauty or skills.
Vân – A surname meaning “cloud,” representing softness, fluidity, and peace.
Tiến – Refers to “progress” or “advancement,” symbolizing growth and development.
Công – Meaning “merit” or “achievement,” reflecting excellence and hard work.
Mạnh – A surname meaning “strong” or “powerful,” often linked to force or vitality.
Bảo – Meaning “treasure” or “precious,” symbolizing value or rarity.
Nhật – A surname meaning “sun” or “day,” symbolizing brightness, hope, and life.
Đại – Refers to “great” or “large,” symbolizing significance or importance.
Sang – Meaning “luxurious” or “prosperous,” representing success and wealth.
Âu – peace, serenity; calmness
Ai – mugwort or a historical family name
Anh – brave, hero; bright intelligence
An – safe, secure; peace
Bi – finish (Chinese-derived)
Bian – secretive, woman of mystery (traditional usage)
Bạch – white, pure (not in top common list)
Cao – high; lofty, elevated
Công – equitable, public; fair
Cuông – healthy, flourishing
Danh – famous; renowned
Duc – good, moral
Gia – family; household
Giang – river; water flow
Hoai – eternal; always
Hồng – rosy, red; great
Huệ – bright, intelligent; tuberose
Huyền – mysterious; profound
Hoa – flower; beauty
Hằng – graceful lady (name root)
Hảo – good, excellent (name root)
Hậu – grand; royal descendant notion
Hạnh – virtue; luck
Hiền – virtuous; kind
Hiếu – filial piety; obedience
Hưng – prosperous; thriving
Khánh – celebrate; congratulations
Kim – gold; metal; precious
Lam – forest; woods
Lành – gentle; good, favorable
Liêm – clean; honest; upright
Liên – lotus flower; purity
Linh – spirit; soul
Loan – mythic bird; grandeur
Mã – old root surname (animal/tribal origin)
Mai – apricot; plum blossom
Mỹ – beauty; attractive
Minh – bright; intelligent
Nhu – alike; similar
Nghĩa – righteous; meaning/justice (name root)
Ngọc – jade; precious stone
Nữ – feminine; noble woman (prefix root)
Phong – wind; breeze; spirit
Quang – bright; clear light
Quốc – nation; country
Quyền – power; authority
Sinh – life; existence
Tiến – advance; progress
Túc – sufficient; adequate
Tuấn – order; harmony
Tùng – pine; resilient tree
Trang – dignified; serious
Trinh – calm; pure; disciplined
Trương – archer; bow wielder
Tôn – honor; respect
Tư – personal; own (name root)
Tú – outstanding; elegant
Tuệ – wisdom; insight
Tùng – evergreen, steadfast
Tuyết – snow; purity
Văn – culture; literature
Việt – Vietnamese people; identity
Vi – small; refined
Vinh – glory; honor
Vũ / Võ – martial; brave spirit
Vạn – ten thousand; myriad
Xuân – spring; new beginning
Yên – peace; calm; safe
Ánh – shining; luminous
Khôi – chief; precious
Đạt – achieve; reach goals
Đức – goodness; virtue
Hào – heroic; grand
Khang – healthy; prosperous
Khải – rejoice; happy
Lộc – prosperity; fortune
Phúc – blessing; luck
Quốc – nation or kingdom pride
Sơn – mountain; strength
Thái – great; exalted
Thành – firm; successful
Thắng – victory; success
Thiện – kind; virtuous
Thịnh – prosperous; thriving
Trác – noble; eminent
Trí – wisdom; knowledge
Tường – auspicious; fortunate
Uy – power; authority
Vân – cloud; poetic imagery
Việt – courage; patriotism
Vĩ – grand scale; significance
Vương – king; sovereign (rare)
Xuân – refreshing; rebirth
Xương – prosperity; robust
Ý – intention; purpose
Đoàn – elegant; powerful clan
Dũng – brave; manly courage
Đình – courtyard; heritage
Hải – sea; ocean
Hậu – future prosperity
Tôn – honored; respected
