Vietnamese Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Vietnamese last names, also known as họ in Vietnamese, play a crucial role in Vietnamese culture and identity. They are passed down through generations, providing a strong sense of family lineage and history. This comprehensive guide explores the rich tapestry of Vietnamese surnames, delving into their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. Discover the stories behind these unique names and gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese people.
1. **Nguyễn:** The most common Vietnamese last name, meaning "original," "first," or "beginning." It signifies being the first or original inhabitant of a place.
2. **Trần:** Second most common, meaning "to pass," "to cross," or "to go through." Associated with the Trần Dynasty, a powerful period in Vietnamese history.
3. **Lê:** Third most common, meaning "plum tree" or "plum blossom." Symbolic of beauty, elegance, and prosperity.
4. **Phạm:** Meaning "to violate," "to transgress," or "to break a law." May be linked to a historical figure who defied societal norms.
5. **Hồ:** Meaning "lake" or "pond." Often associated with beauty, peace, and tranquility.
6. **Vũ:** Meaning "dance," "rhythm," or "music." Represents joy, celebration, and cultural expression.
7. **Võ:** Meaning "military," "martial arts," or "war." Indicates strength, courage, and defense.
8. **Đặng:** Meaning "to wait," "to hold," or "to keep." May symbolize patience, perseverance, and endurance.
9. **Bùi:** Meaning "dust" or "ash." Represents humility, groundedness, and resilience.
10. **Ngô:** Meaning "rice" or "grain." Symbolic of abundance, prosperity, and sustenance.
11. **Đỗ:** Meaning "to stop," "to pause," or "to stay." May indicate stability, contemplation, and grounding.
12. **Hoàng:** Meaning "imperial," "royal," or "golden." Represents power, nobility, and prestige.
13. **Lý:** Meaning "reason," "theory," or "logic." Symbolic of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
14. **Cao:** Meaning "tall," "high," or "elevated." Represents aspiration, ambition, and achievement.
15. **Phan:** Meaning "to spread," "to disperse," or "to scatter." May indicate a sense of freedom, exploration, and expansion.
16. **Đinh:** Meaning "nail," "peg," or "pin." Symbolic of strength, stability, and steadfastness.
17. **Trương:** Meaning "long," "extended," or "stretched out." Represents endurance, longevity, and persistence.
18. **Lưu:** Meaning "to save," "to keep," or "to preserve." Symbolic of protection, conservation, and tradition.
19. **Mai:** Meaning "plum tree" or "plum blossom." Represents beauty, elegance, and prosperity.
20. **Nguyễn Văn:** A common combination of two of the most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
21. **Nguyễn Thị:** Another common combination of two common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
22. **Lê Văn:** A combination of the third and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
23. **Lê Thị:** A combination of the third and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
24. **Trần Văn:** A combination of the second and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
25. **Trần Thị:** A combination of the second and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
26. **Phạm Văn:** A combination of the fourth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
27. **Phạm Thị:** A combination of the fourth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
28. **Võ Văn:** A combination of the seventh and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
29. **Võ Thị:** A combination of the seventh and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
30. **Đặng Văn:** A combination of the eighth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
31. **Đặng Thị:** A combination of the eighth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
32. **Bùi Văn:** A combination of the ninth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
33. **Bùi Thị:** A combination of the ninth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
34. **Ngô Văn:** A combination of the tenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
35. **Ngô Thị:** A combination of the tenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
36. **Đỗ Văn:** A combination of the eleventh and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
37. **Đỗ Thị:** A combination of the eleventh and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
38. **Hoàng Văn:** A combination of the twelfth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
39. **Hoàng Thị:** A combination of the twelfth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
40. **Lý Văn:** A combination of the thirteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
41. **Lý Thị:** A combination of the thirteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
42. **Cao Văn:** A combination of the fourteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
43. **Cao Thị:** A combination of the fourteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
44. **Phan Văn:** A combination of the fifteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
45. **Phan Thị:** A combination of the fifteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
46. **Đinh Văn:** A combination of the sixteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
47. **Đinh Thị:** A combination of the sixteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
48. **Trương Văn:** A combination of the seventeenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
49. **Trương Thị:** A combination of the seventeenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
50. **Lưu Văn:** A combination of the eighteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
51. **Lưu Thị:** A combination of the eighteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.
52. **Mai Văn:** A combination of the nineteenth and second most common last names. "Văn" means "literature," "culture," or "art."
53. **Mai Thị:** A combination of the nineteenth and second most common last names. "Thị" signifies a female member of the family.