Vietnamese Last Names: A Guide to Meaning and Origin

Vietnamese last names, also known as họ, are an integral part of Vietnamese culture and identity. They are passed down through generations, reflecting family history and lineage. Understanding the meanings behind these names can provide valuable insights into Vietnamese society and its rich cultural heritage. This comprehensive list explores the diverse meanings and origins of common Vietnamese last names, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of Vietnamese onomastics.
1. **Nguyễn:** The most common Vietnamese last name, meaning "original" or "first," possibly referencing the founder of the dynasty.
2. **Trần:** Another prevalent last name, meaning "to rule" or "to govern," associated with the Trần dynasty.
3. **Lê:** The third most common, meaning "to climb" or "to ascend," potentially referencing a geographical location or social mobility.
4. **Phạm:** Meaning "to violate" or "to transgress," possibly connected to a historical event or a specific virtue.
5. **Huỳnh:** Meaning "yellow," possibly referring to the color of a particular flower or a symbolic meaning.
6. **Vũ:** Meaning "to dance" or "to move," referencing a graceful dance or a dynamic personality.
7. **Đặng:** Meaning "to wait" or "to anticipate," potentially indicating a patient or strategic nature.
8. **Bùi:** Meaning "to protect" or "to defend," possibly connected to a guardian or a sense of security.
9. **Hoàng:** Meaning "emperor" or "royal," referring to a noble lineage or a sense of leadership.
10. **Đỗ:** Meaning "to stop" or "to halt," referencing a pause, a stopping point, or a sense of control.
11. **Lý:** Meaning "reason" or "logic," potentially indicating a rational or intellectual mind.
12. **Võ:** Meaning "martial arts" or "military," suggesting a strength or a fighting spirit.
13. **Cao:** Meaning "tall" or "high," referencing physical stature or a prominent position.
14. **Ngô:** Meaning "to wear a crown" or "to be crowned," possibly indicating a leadership role or a sense of power.
15. **Phan:** Meaning "to divide" or "to separate," possibly related to a geographical location or a sense of individuality.
16. **Trương:** Meaning "to grow" or "to flourish," referencing growth, prosperity, or a sense of progress.
17. **Đinh:** Meaning "to nail" or "to fasten," possibly connected to a specific skill or a sense of stability.
18. **Chu:** Meaning "master" or "lord," referencing a leader or a sense of authority.
19. **Tạ:** Meaning "to thank" or "to appreciate," potentially indicating a grateful or kind-hearted nature.
20. **Nghiêm:** Meaning "serious" or "strict," referencing a disciplined or determined personality.
21. **Hồ:** Meaning "lake" or "pond," likely connected to a geographical location or a symbolic meaning of serenity.
22. **Lưu:** Meaning "to flow" or "to circulate," potentially referencing movement, fluidity, or a sense of energy.
23. **Thái:** Meaning "great" or "grand," suggesting a significant personality or a sense of stature.
24. **Nguyễn Văn:** The most common combination of a surname and a given name, indicating the male gender.
25. **Nguyễn Thị:** The most common combination of a surname and a given name, indicating the female gender.
26. **Lê Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
27. **Lê Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
28. **Trần Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
29. **Trần Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
30. **Phạm Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
31. **Phạm Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
32. **Huỳnh Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
33. **Huỳnh Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
34. **Vũ Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
35. **Vũ Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
36. **Đặng Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
37. **Đặng Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
38. **Bùi Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
39. **Bùi Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
40. **Hoàng Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
41. **Hoàng Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
42. **Đỗ Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
43. **Đỗ Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
44. **Lý Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
45. **Lý Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
46. **Võ Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
47. **Võ Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
48. **Cao Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
49. **Cao Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
50. **Ngô Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
51. **Ngô Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
52. **Phan Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
53. **Phan Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
54. **Trương Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
55. **Trương Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
56. **Đinh Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
57. **Đinh Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
58. **Chu Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
59. **Chu Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
60. **Tạ Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
61. **Tạ Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
62. **Nghiêm Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
63. **Nghiêm Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.
64. **Hồ Văn:** A common combination of surname and given name for males.
65. **Hồ Thị:** A common combination of surname and given name for females.
66. **Lưu Văn:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for males.
67. **Lưu Thị:** A frequently used combination of surname and given name for females.
68. **Thái Văn:** A popular combination of surname and given name for males.
69. **Thái Thị:** A popular combination of surname and given name for females.