Last Names in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames and Their Meanings

This article explores the fascinating world of Vietnamese last names, providing a comprehensive list of common surnames and their detailed meanings. Discover the rich cultural and historical significance behind these names, gaining insights into the origins and evolution of Vietnamese surnames. Whether you're curious about your own family heritage or simply interested in the linguistic diversity of Vietnam, this guide offers a valuable resource for understanding the nuances of Vietnamese last names.
1. **Nguyễn:** The most common last name in Vietnam, meaning "original," "first," or "ancestor." It is believed to have originated from the legendary founder of the country, Kinh Dương Vương.
2. **Trần:** Second most common, meaning "morning," "dawn," or "sunrise." It is associated with the Trần dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from the 13th to the 14th centuries.
3. **Lê:** Third most common, meaning "plum" or "prune." It is linked to the Lê dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
4. **Phạm:** Meaning "to break," "to violate," or "to transgress." It is said to have originated from a legend about a man who broke a law to save his village.
5. **Vũ:** Meaning "universe," "cosmos," or "sky." It is associated with the vastness and power of the natural world.
6. **Hoàng:** Meaning "emperor," "king," or "royal." It reflects the historical importance of emperors and their families in Vietnamese society.
7. **Đặng:** Meaning "to climb," "to ascend," or "to reach." It signifies ambition and the desire to achieve great things.
8. **Bùi:** Meaning "to cover," "to wrap," or "to enclose." It may reflect the importance of protection and security in Vietnamese culture.
9. **Đỗ:** Meaning "to pass," "to succeed," or "to surpass." It reflects the importance of success and achieving one's goals.
10. **Ngô:** Meaning "to sing," "to chant," or "to recite." It may be associated with the importance of storytelling and oral tradition in Vietnamese culture.
11. **Huỳnh:** Meaning "yellow" or "golden." It is often associated with wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.
12. **Lý:** Meaning "reason," "logic," or "principle." It may reflect the importance of education and knowledge in Vietnamese society.
13. **Phan:** Meaning "to divide," "to separate," or "to distinguish." It may symbolize the importance of clarity and discernment.
14. **Đinh:** Meaning "to nail," "to fasten," or "to secure." It may reflect the importance of stability and strength in Vietnamese culture.
15. **Võ:** Meaning "martial arts," "military," or "war." It highlights the importance of strength and courage in Vietnamese history.
16. **Cao:** Meaning "tall," "high," or "elevated." It may represent ambition and the desire to rise above challenges.
17. **Trương:** Meaning "to grow," "to develop," or "to expand." It reflects the importance of progress and growth in Vietnamese society.
18. **Lưu:** Meaning "to save," "to preserve," or "to keep." It may symbolize the importance of tradition and heritage in Vietnamese culture.
19. **Mai:** Meaning "plum blossom" or "plum tree." It is associated with beauty, purity, and resilience.
20. **Thái:** Meaning "great," "grand," or "imperial." It reflects the importance of greatness and grandeur in Vietnamese society.
21. **Nguyễn Văn:** A common combination of the most common last name and a popular given name, meaning "original" and "literature."
22. **Trần Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "morning" and "literature."
23. **Lê Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "plum" and "literature."
24. **Phạm Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to break" and "literature."
25. **Vũ Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "universe" and "literature."
26. **Hoàng Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "emperor" and "literature."
27. **Đặng Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to climb" and "literature."
28. **Bùi Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to cover" and "literature."
29. **Đỗ Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to pass" and "literature."
30. **Ngô Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to sing" and "literature."
31. **Huỳnh Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "yellow" and "literature."
32. **Lý Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "reason" and "literature."
33. **Phan Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to divide" and "literature."
34. **Đinh Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to nail" and "literature."
35. **Võ Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "martial arts" and "literature."
36. **Cao Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "tall" and "literature."
37. **Trương Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to grow" and "literature."
38. **Lưu Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "to save" and "literature."
39. **Mai Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "plum blossom" and "literature."
40. **Thái Văn:** Another common combination, meaning "great" and "literature."