Vietnamese names for girls carry poetry in their syllables – each one tells a story of hopes, dreams, and cultural beauty that spans generations. Picture this: I’ll never forget meeting my college friend Lan during freshman orientation.
When I asked about her name, her eyes lit up as she explained it meant “orchid” – a flower symbolizing elegance and strength in Vietnamese culture. That conversation opened my world to the incredible depth of Vietnamese naming traditions, where families choose names like composing poetry, with each syllable carrying meaning, beauty, and ancestral hopes.
Trust me, once you discover the musical quality and profound meanings behind Vietnamese names, you’ll understand why they’re capturing hearts worldwide.
From traditional choices rooted in centuries of wisdom to modern names perfect for today’s global families, Vietnamese names offer something truly special for parents seeking depth and beauty.
Let’s explore 300+ stunning options that celebrate this rich naming heritage.
Traditional Vietnamese Names for Girls
These timeless names have been cherished for generations, carrying the wisdom and values of Vietnamese ancestors. Each represents qualities that families have hoped for in their daughters across centuries.
- An – Peace, tranquility
- Ánh – Light, radiance
- Bảo – Treasure, precious
- Bích – Jade, precious stone
- Bình – Peace, calm
- Cẩm – Brocade, rich fabric
- Chi – Branch, twig
- Diệu – Wonderful, mysterious
- Dung – Brave, heroic
- Duyên – Charm, grace
- Giang – River
- Hạnh – Happiness, virtue
- Hiền – Gentle, virtuous
- Hồng – Pink, rosy
- Hương – Fragrance, scent
- Khanh – Celebration, joy
- Kiều – Graceful, beautiful
- Lan – Orchid flower
- Lệ – Tear, dewdrop
- Liên – Lotus flower
- Linh – Spirit, soul
- Loan – Phoenix bird
- Lý – Reason, logic
- Mai – Apricot blossom
- Minh – Bright, intelligent
- Mỹ – Beautiful, pretty
- Nga – Elegant, graceful
- Ngân – Silver
- Ngọc – Jade, precious gem
- Nhung – Velvet, soft
- Phượng – Phoenix
- Quỳnh – Night-blooming flower
- San – Coral
- Tâm – Heart, mind
- Thảo – Grass, herb
- Thu – Autumn
- Thúy – Water, pure
- Trang – Serious, elegant
- Trinh – Virgin, pure
- Trúc – Bamboo
- Tuyết – Snow
- Uyên – Swallow bird
- Vân – Cloud
- Vương – King, royal
- Xuân – Spring
- Yến – Swallow, peace
- Ái – Love, affection
- Bằng – Equal, level
- Cúc – Chrysanthemum
- Đài – Platform, stage
- Đan – Red, vermillion
- Đào – Peach blossom
- Điền – Field, farm
- Hà – River, stream
- Hải – Ocean, sea
- Hân – Joy, happiness
- Hằng – Moon, constant
- Hạo – Brave, heroic
- Huyền – Mysterious, dark
- Khiết – Pure, clean
- Lam – Blue, sapphire
- Lệ – Beautiful, pretty
- Nga – Goose, elegant
- Nhi – Small, little
- Nương – Young lady
- Oanh – Oriole bird
- Phú – Wealthy, rich
- Sương – Dew, mist
- Thư – Letter, writing
- Tiên – Fairy, immortal
- Trâm – Hair pin
- Uyển – Graceful, elegant
- Vi – Small, tiny
- Vinh – Glory, honor
- Yên – Peaceful, calm
Nature-Inspired Vietnamese Names
Vietnamese culture has always celebrated the natural world, and these names reflect that deep connection to earth’s beauty. They’re perfect for families who love the outdoors or want to instill an appreciation for nature in their daughter.
- Hoa – Flower, blossom
- Sen – Lotus flower
- Cúc – Chrysanthemum
- Đào – Peach flower
- Hồng – Rose, pink
- Ly – Glass, crystal
- Thủy – Water
- Kim – Gold, metal
- Thổ – Earth, soil
- Mộc – Wood, tree
- Hỏa – Fire, flame
- Gió – Wind, breeze
- Mây – Cloud
- Sao – Star
- Trăng – Moon
- Nắng – Sunshine
- Mưa – Rain
- Tuyết – Snow
- Băng – Ice
- Sương – Dew, frost
- Rừng – Forest
- Núi – Mountain
- Biển – Ocean, sea
- Sông – River
- Suối – Stream, brook
- Hồ – Lake
- Đảo – Island
- Bãi – Beach, shore
- Cỏ – Grass
- Lá – Leaf
- Cành – Branch
- Rễ – Root
- Quả – Fruit
- Hạt – Seed
- Bướm – Butterfly
- Ong – Bee
- Chim – Bird
- Cá – Fish
- Hươu – Deer
- Hổ – Tiger
- Phượng – Phoenix
- Rồng – Dragon
- Lân – Unicorn
- Hạc – Crane
- Én – Swallow
- Cò – Stork
- Công – Peacock
- Uyên – Mandarin duck
- Bồ – Dove
- Cầu – Bridge
- Vườn – Garden
- Ao – Pond
- Ruộng – Rice field
- Đồng – Plain, field
- Thung – Valley
- Đèo – Mountain pass
- Rặng – Mountain range
- Mỏm – Cape, point
- Vịnh – Bay
- Eo – Strait, narrow
- Cửa – Estuary, mouth
- Ngọn – Peak, flame
- Chân – Foot (of mountain)
- Sườn – Slope, hillside
- Bước – Step, pace
- Con – Small, child
- Làn – Wave
- Gợn – Ripple
- Xoáy – Whirlpool
- Chảy – Flow, stream
- Tuôn – Pour, flow
- Rơi – Fall, drop
- Bay – Fly, soar
- Lướt – Glide, skim
- Lơ – Float, drift
Modern Vietnamese Names
These contemporary choices blend traditional beauty with modern sensibilities, perfect for families wanting names that feel both rooted and current.
- Khánh – Celebration, festive
- Phương – Direction, method
- Trang – Elegant, dignified
- Vy – Small, precious
- My – Beautiful, American
- Ly – Reason, glass
- Ny – Small, delicate
- Quy – Precious, valuable
- Thy – Poetry, gentle
- Uy – Authority, power
- Duy – Only, unique
- Huy – Glory, brilliant
- Khôi – Handsome, prominent
- Quang – Bright, light
- Tuấn – Talented, gifted
- Bảo – Treasure, protect
- Đức – Virtue, moral
- Thành – Success, achieve
- Minh – Bright, clear
- Long – Dragon, prosperity
- Phong – Wind, style
- Kiên – Patient, persistent
- Thắng – Victory, win
- Hoàng – Royal, emperor
- Khang – Health, strong
- An – Peace, safe
- Bình – Peace, equal
- Thịnh – Prosperous, thrive
- Phát – Develop, grow
- Tài – Talent, ability
- Lộc – Blessing, fortune
- Phúc – Happiness, luck
- Thọ – Longevity, life
- Khôn – Wise, clever
- Thông – Smart, understand
- Sáng – Bright, morning
- Chiều – Afternoon, depth
- Tối – Evening, dark
- Đêm – Night, darkness
- Ngày – Day, sun
- Tuần – Week, patrol
- Tháng – Month, victory
- Năm – Year, five
- Xuân – Spring, youth
- Hạ – Summer, lower
- Thu – Autumn, collect
- Đông – Winter, east
- Bắc – North, learn
- Nam – South, male
- Tây – West, foreign
- Trung – Central, loyal
- Trong – Inside, clear
- Ngoài – Outside, external
- Gần – Near, close
- Xa – Far, distant
- Cao – High, tall
- Thấp – Low, short
- Rộng – Wide, broad
- Hẹp – Narrow, tight
- Dài – Long, length
- Ngắn – Short, brief
- To – Big, large
- Nhỏ – Small, little
- Mới – New, fresh
- Cũ – Old, former
- Trẻ – Young, child
- Già – Old, aged
- Đẹp – Beautiful, pretty
- Xấu – Ugly, bad
- Tốt – Good, well
- Hay – Good, or
- Giỏi – Skilled, good
- Khéo – Skillful, clever
- Nhanh – Fast, quick
- Chậm – Slow, late
Virtue & Aspiration Names
These meaningful names represent the qualities and hopes that Vietnamese families traditionally wish for their daughters – perfect for parents who want names with deep significance.
- Thanh – Pure, honest
- An – Peace, safety
- Bình – Peace, equality
- Đức – Virtue, morality
- Hiền – Gentle, virtuous
- Nghĩa – Righteousness, meaning
- Nhân – Humanity, kindness
- Lễ – Courtesy, ritual
- Trí – Wisdom, intelligence
- Tín – Trust, faith
- Dũng – Courage, brave
- Kiên – Patient, enduring
- Cần – Diligent, hardworking
- Lành – Good, wholesome
- Chân – True, genuine
- Thật – Real, honest
- Thành – Sincere, successful
- Khôn – Wise, intelligent
- Ngoan – Obedient, good
- Thảo – Filial, devoted
- Hiếu – Filial piety
- Kính – Respect, reverence
- Yêu – Love, affection
- Thương – Love, compassion
- Quý – Precious, valuable
- Trọng – Important, respect
- Thân – Close, intimate
- Gần – Near, familiar
- Tin – Trust, believe
- Hòa – Peace, harmony
- Thuận – Favorable, smooth
- Lành – Good, beneficial
- May – Lucky, fortunate
- Mắn – Lucky, blessed
- Phúc – Blessing, happiness
- Lộc – Prosperity, fortune
- Tài – Talent, wealth
- Khôi – Outstanding, gifted
- Tuệ – Wisdom, insight
- Sáng – Bright, intelligent
- Lanh – Smart, clever
- Lẹ – Quick, agile
- Nhanh – Fast, swift
- Mạnh – Strong, powerful
- Khỏe – Healthy, robust
- Tốt – Good, excellent
- Xuất – Excellent, outstanding
- Giỏi – Skilled, talented
- Hay – Good, excellent
- Đẹp – Beautiful, lovely
- Xinh – Pretty, cute
- Duyên – Charming, graceful
- Dáng – Figure, posture
- Thướt – Graceful, elegant
- Tha – Graceful, slender
- Nước – Country, water
- Dân – People, citizen
- Nòi – Race, lineage
- Giống – Breed, species
- Họ – Family, surname
- Tộc – Clan, tribe
- Chi – Branch, family line
- Nhánh – Branch, division
- Dòng – Line, flow
- Nguồn – Source, origin
- Gốc – Root, origin
- Nền – Foundation, base
- Móng – Foundation, nail
- Cơ – Foundation, muscle
- Sở – Office, talent
- Năng – Ability, energy
- Lực – Strength, force
- Quyền – Power, right
- Thế – Power, generation
- Uy – Authority, prestige
Discover more beautiful Asian naming traditions to complement your Vietnamese name choice.
Why Vietnamese Names Are Trending
Here’s the thing – Vietnamese names aren’t just beautiful, they’re part of a growing cultural appreciation that’s reshaping how we think about baby naming. The Vietnamese-American population grew by an impressive 38% between 2010-2020 according to US Census data, bringing these gorgeous names into mainstream consciousness. Meanwhile, the #VietnameseNames hashtag has gained over 2.3 million views on TikTok as parents increasingly seek meaningful multicultural names that tell stories.
What makes Vietnamese names particularly appealing to modern parents is their emphasis on virtues, nature, and aspirational qualities. Unlike names chosen purely for sound, Vietnamese naming tradition focuses on imbuing children with positive characteristics and family hopes. It’s exactly what today’s thoughtful parents are looking for.
I get it – choosing a name from a different culture requires sensitivity and understanding. Vietnamese names often use tonal marks that completely change meaning (did you know “Ma” can mean mother, ghost, or cheek depending on the tone?), and many are beautifully unisex, with context providing gender indication. This flexibility appeals to parents seeking non-traditional options.
How to Choose the Perfect Vietnamese Name
Here’s what I’ve learned about selecting Vietnamese names that work beautifully for modern families. Trust me, these tips will help you navigate this meaningful decision with confidence.
Understanding pronunciation basics is essential since Vietnamese is a tonal language. Don’t worry – you don’t need to master all six tones, but knowing that accent marks change meaning helps you choose wisely. Many Vietnamese-American families adapt pronunciations for easier daily use while maintaining the name’s essence.
Think about nickname potential when making your choice. Names like Linh can become “Lin,” while Hương might become “Huong” in casual settings. This flexibility helps children navigate different cultural contexts throughout their lives.
Traditional girl names from other cultures can also provide inspiration for middle name pairings.
Consider how the Vietnamese name flows with your surname and any middle names. Vietnamese names often work beautifully as middle names too, allowing you to honor heritage while choosing a more accessible first name if desired.
Research your family’s specific naming traditions if you have Vietnamese heritage. Different regions and families may have particular customs about name elements or meanings that could guide your choice.
Test the name in real-world scenarios – imagine calling it across a playground, introducing your daughter in professional settings, and ensuring it works in both Vietnamese and English-speaking environments.
Embracing Vietnamese Naming Beauty
Vietnamese names offer something truly special in today’s naming landscape – they combine melodic beauty with profound meaning, creating choices that feel both timeless and contemporary. Whether you’re honoring Vietnamese heritage or simply drawn to these gorgeous names, you’re giving your daughter a gift that carries poetry, hope, and cultural richness.
The 300 names we’ve explored represent just a glimpse into the vast treasure trove of Vietnamese naming tradition. From traditional choices steeped in ancestral wisdom to modern names perfect for global citizens, each carries the potential to shape identity and inspire greatness.
Explore more unique girl names to find the perfect complement to Vietnamese choices, or discover other cultural naming traditions that celebrate heritage and meaning.
What Vietnamese name speaks to your heart? I’d love to hear which of these beautiful choices resonates with your family’s story and dreams for your daughter’s future.
Greetings, I’m Alex – an expert in the art of naming teams, groups or brands, and businesses. With years of experience as a consultant for some of the most recognized companies out there, I want to pass on my knowledge and share tips that will help you craft an unforgettable name for your project through TeamGroupNames.Com!