Vietnamese Surnames
Browse Vietnamese surnames with meanings, pronunciation notes, tone marks, and family-name context. Vietnamese full names normally place the family name first, so this page keeps surnames separate from given names and links back to the broader Vietnamese names hub for full-name examples.
Vietnamese Surnames List
100 Vietnamese surnames split by common family names, familiar surnames, distinctive surnames, and historic compound forms.
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Most Common Vietnamese Surnames
The highest-frequency Vietnamese family names, including the surname-first anchors most people expect to see in a Vietnamese name list.
#1
Nguyễn
Meaning: very common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: ngwen
Origin: Vietnamese surname
The best-known Vietnamese surname internationally. Treat it as the family name in surname-first Vietnamese order, not as the given name.
#2
Trần
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: chan
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A major family name and historic dynastic surname, often written Tran without tone marks in English systems.
#3
Lê
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: leh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A very common Vietnamese surname. The tone mark helps separate it from plain-text Le and from unrelated words.
#4
Phạm
Meaning: model or pattern in Sino-Vietnamese reading
Pronunciation guide: fam
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A high-frequency family name that is normally romanised Pham when diacritics are unavailable.
#5
Hoàng
Meaning: yellow, golden, or royal depending on character context
Pronunciation guide: hwahng
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A common family name and name element. In full names, surname-first placement decides how it is being used.
#6
Huỳnh
Meaning: southern family-name form related to Hoàng
Pronunciation guide: hween
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar southern Vietnamese surname form. It is often treated as connected to Hoàng but should keep its own spelling.
#7
Phan
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: fan
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A frequent surname that works as a reliable alternative when Nguyen feels too predictable for a character.
#8
Vũ
Meaning: rain, dance, or martial reading depending on character
Pronunciation guide: voo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact family name that is distinct from Võ even though both may become Vo in unaccented text.
#9
Võ
Meaning: martial or military
Pronunciation guide: vaw
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A common surname with a martial reading. Keep it separate from Vũ when tone marks are available.
#10
Đặng
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: dang
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A common family name that becomes Dang in English-only systems. The marked Đ is a separate Vietnamese letter.
#11
Bùi
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: bwee
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A frequent surname with a short shape but distinctive pronunciation. Tone marks make it more useful for real Vietnamese spelling.
#12
Đỗ
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: daw
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short family name often flattened to Do online. The marked form avoids confusion with other Do spellings.
#13
Hồ
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: haw
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A known surname internationally through Hồ Chí Minh, but still used as an ordinary inherited family name.
#14
Ngô
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: ngo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact surname where the diacritic matters. It should not be treated as a given-name-only element.
#15
Dương
Meaning: sun, ocean, poplar, or positive principle depending on character
Pronunciation guide: zwong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A common family name and name element with several possible Sino-Vietnamese readings.
#16
Lý
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: lee
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A historic dynastic surname and a familiar family name, often written Ly without tone marks.
#17
Đinh
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: ding
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name associated with Vietnamese history and dynastic naming.
#18
Đoàn
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: dwan
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A frequent family name. In unaccented text, Doan loses the tone and vowel information that make it clearer.
#19
Trương
Meaning: field, long, chief, or elder depending on character
Pronunciation guide: chwong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A common surname that also appears in name elements, so full-name position matters.
#20
Lâm
Meaning: forest or grove depending on character
Pronunciation guide: lam
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname that may also be a given-name element. It is useful for nature-linked full names.
#21
Mai
Meaning: apricot or plum blossom in name contexts
Pronunciation guide: my
Origin: Vietnamese surname
Mai can be a surname or a feminine given name, so surname-first order is the key clue.
#22
Trịnh
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: ching
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A historic and familiar surname, usually romanised Trinh when tone marks are dropped.
#23
Đào
Meaning: peach or common family-name reading
Pronunciation guide: dow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element. The marked form helps distinguish it from unaccented Dao.
#24
Cao
Meaning: high or tall
Pronunciation guide: kow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname that can also be a descriptive name element. Full-name order prevents misreading.
#25
Tạ
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: tah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short family name often written Ta in English systems. The tone mark is part of the Vietnamese spelling.
#26
Hà
Meaning: river in many name contexts
Pronunciation guide: hah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
Hà can be a surname or given-name element, so position and tone marks matter.
#27
Tô
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: toh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact surname where the tone mark helps avoid ambiguity with plain To.
#28
Phùng
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: foong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar surname often romanised Phung without marks. It gives surname lists more variety beyond the very top names.
#29
Tăng
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: tung
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name that is easy to misread if the tone mark is removed.
#30
Lương
Meaning: salary, good, or measure depending on character context
Pronunciation guide: lwong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar surname and name element whose exact meaning depends on character history and family context.
Familiar Vietnamese Family Names
Recognisable family names that appear widely in Vietnamese communities and need tone marks, position, and romanisation context.
#1
Thái
Meaning: peaceful, grand, or Thai-related depending on context
Pronunciation guide: tie
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A recognisable Vietnamese surname and name element. Use the marked form when Vietnamese spelling matters.
#2
Châu
Meaning: pearl, continent, or district depending on character
Pronunciation guide: chow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element, especially useful when the name needs a jewel or place-like reading.
#3
Chu
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: choo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname with Chinese-character history; exact meaning depends on the character behind the family line.
#4
La
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: lah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short family name that should be kept distinct from the article-like shape it has in some European languages.
#5
Lưu
Meaning: to remain, preserve, or flow depending on character
Pronunciation guide: lyoo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar surname often romanised Luu. It is separate from Lựu and other marked forms.
#6
Mạc
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: mak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A historic surname associated with the Mạc dynasty, also used as an ordinary family name.
#7
Ninh
Meaning: peaceful or tranquil in many readings
Pronunciation guide: ning
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name and name element with calm connotations in some contexts.
#8
Ông
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: ohng
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname whose written form also resembles the Vietnamese word for an older man, so context matters.
#9
Quách
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: kwak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A recognisable family name that may be romanised Quach without marks.
#10
Từ
Meaning: gentle, compassionate, or from depending on reading
Pronunciation guide: too
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element where the tone mark is essential for clarity.
#11
Vương
Meaning: king or royal in Sino-Vietnamese contexts
Pronunciation guide: vwong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar surname related to the wider East Asian Wang/Wong surname family.
#12
Triệu
Meaning: summon or Zhao-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: chiew
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A Vietnamese family name linked to a wider Sinosphere surname tradition.
#13
Kiều
Meaning: bridge, graceful, or Qiao-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: kyew
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element. It is also familiar from literary and given-name contexts, so order matters.
#14
Lại
Meaning: come again or Lai-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: lie
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname often romanised Lai. The tone mark helps distinguish it from other Vietnamese syllables.
#15
Lục
Meaning: six, green, or Lu-related reading depending on character
Pronunciation guide: look
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname with several possible character backgrounds. Keep meaning notes cautious unless family context is known.
#16
Lư
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: luh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname that may be flattened to Lu in English-only systems.
#17
Lữ
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: luh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname often romanised Lu, distinct from Lư and Lự in Vietnamese spelling.
#18
Dư
Meaning: surplus or Yu-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: zuh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact family name where the Vietnamese letter and tone mark carry important information.
#19
Diệp
Meaning: leaf or Ye-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: yep
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element with a leaf reading in many name contexts.
#20
Đàm
Meaning: talk, deep pool, or Tan-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: dam
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A familiar family name, often written Dam without the Vietnamese Đ and tone mark.
#21
Hứa
Meaning: promise or Xu-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: hwuh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and word-like element where the exact reading depends on character history.
#22
Khổng
Meaning: Kong or Confucius-associated surname reading
Pronunciation guide: khom
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A Vietnamese form connected with the wider Kong surname tradition.
#23
Lã
Meaning: Lu-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: lah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname where tone marks prevent it being confused with La or Lạ.
#24
Tôn
Meaning: respect or Sun-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: ton
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and element also seen in compound aristocratic forms such as Tôn Thất.
#25
Vi
Meaning: small, subtle, or Wei-related reading depending on character
Pronunciation guide: vee
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short family name and name element; meaning depends strongly on the character behind it.
#26
Chế
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: cheh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname seen in Vietnamese history and minority-name contexts; keep full spelling when possible.
#27
Tống
Meaning: Song-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tome
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A Vietnamese family name connected with the wider Song surname tradition.
#28
Trác
Meaning: excellent, tall, or Zhuo-related reading
Pronunciation guide: chak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element with an elevated reading in some Sino-Vietnamese contexts.
#29
Văn
Meaning: literature or culture
Pronunciation guide: van
Origin: Vietnamese surname
Better known as a masculine middle-name element, but it can also appear as a family name. Context is essential.
#30
Bạch
Meaning: white or Bai-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: bak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name and descriptive element, often romanised Bach without marks.
Distinctive Vietnamese Surnames
Less common but still useful Vietnamese surnames for research, characters, family-history browsing, and varied full-name examples.
#1
Bành
Meaning: Peng-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: bang
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A distinctive surname that gives character lists variety beyond the most common family names.
#2
Bảo
Meaning: treasure or protection in name contexts
Pronunciation guide: bow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element. It should be identified by its position in the full name.
#3
Chung
Meaning: bell, loyalty, or Zhong-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: choong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname with several possible character readings. Avoid assuming one meaning without family context.
#4
Cù
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: koo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname where the tone mark is part of the Vietnamese spelling.
#5
Giang
Meaning: river
Pronunciation guide: zang
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and nature-linked given-name element. Full-name position decides the role.
#6
Hạ
Meaning: summer, lower, or Xia-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: hah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact family name that may be confused with Hà when tone marks are removed.
#7
Hàn
Meaning: Han-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: han
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname connected with wider East Asian character traditions. It is distinct from Hân or Hạnh.
#8
Hồng
Meaning: red, rosy, or great depending on character
Pronunciation guide: home
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and common name element with multiple possible readings.
#9
Kha
Meaning: Ke-related surname reading or capable in name contexts
Pronunciation guide: kah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element. Use a cautious meaning unless the character is known.
#10
Khương
Meaning: Ginger or Jiang-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: khwong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A Vietnamese family name connected to a broader Sinosphere surname family.
#11
Khuất
Meaning: Qu-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: khoot
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A distinctive surname that can be difficult to romanise naturally without tone marks.
#12
Kim
Meaning: gold or metal
Pronunciation guide: kim
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element also familiar in Korean contexts; on a Vietnamese page, mark it as Vietnamese usage when appropriate.
#13
Lạc
Meaning: Luo-related surname reading or joy in some contexts
Pronunciation guide: lak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname with historical and cultural associations; exact meaning depends on character context.
#14
Nghiêm
Meaning: strict, serious, or Yan-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: ngyeem
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A distinctive family name that often becomes Nghiem without marks.
#15
Phí
Meaning: Fei-related surname reading or expense depending on character
Pronunciation guide: fee
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname whose meaning should be handled carefully without the underlying character.
#16
Sầm
Meaning: Cen-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: sum
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A less common surname useful for a broader, less repetitive Vietnamese surname list.
#17
Tất
Meaning: complete or Bi-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tut
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact surname where the tone and final consonant need care in English approximations.
#18
Thạch
Meaning: stone or Shi-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tak
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname with a strong stone reading in many contexts.
#19
Thân
Meaning: body, relative, or Shen-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tan
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and word-like element; context decides how it should be understood.
#20
Thiều
Meaning: Shao-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tyew
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name that is often simplified to Thieu without marks.
#21
Tiêu
Meaning: Xiao-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: tyew
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname also seen as a name element; tone marks help separate it from similar spellings.
#22
Trang
Meaning: solemn, dignified, or Zhuang-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: chang
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element. It can lean feminine as a given name, but as a surname it is inherited.
#23
Vân
Meaning: cloud in many name contexts
Pronunciation guide: vun
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and poetic given-name element; family-name position is the important clue.
#24
Vĩnh
Meaning: lasting or eternal
Pronunciation guide: ving
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and name element with a durable, long-lasting reading in many contexts.
#25
Xa
Meaning: common Vietnamese family name
Pronunciation guide: sah
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A short surname that is useful for variety but needs context because it resembles ordinary Vietnamese syllables.
#26
Yên
Meaning: peaceful or Yan-related reading
Pronunciation guide: yen
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element. It is distinct from Yến, which can mean swallow bird in name contexts.
#27
Âu
Meaning: Au or Ou-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: ow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compact family name that should retain the Vietnamese vowel mark where supported.
#28
Ấu
Meaning: young or You-related reading
Pronunciation guide: ow
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A rare-looking surname in English text; tone marks help distinguish it from Âu.
#29
Biện
Meaning: distinguish, debate, or Bian-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: byen
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A family name with several possible character readings. Use the marked spelling for clarity.
#30
Cam
Meaning: orange, sweet, or Gan-related surname reading
Pronunciation guide: kam
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A surname and given-name element. The exact meaning depends on the character and family tradition.
Historic and Compound Surname Forms
Historic, aristocratic, or multi-word family-name forms where the whole surname should be kept together instead of split into separate given-name pieces.
#1
Tôn Thất
Meaning: historic Nguyễn-dynasty male-line surname form
Pronunciation guide: ton tut
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound aristocratic surname form. Keep both words together rather than treating Thất as a middle name.
#2
Tôn Nữ
Meaning: historic Nguyễn-dynasty female-line surname form
Pronunciation guide: ton nuh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound surname form associated with Nguyễn-dynasty family lines. It should be handled as one family-name unit.
#3
Nguyễn Phúc
Meaning: historic imperial family-name form
Pronunciation guide: ngwen fook
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound family-name form associated with the Nguyễn lords and Nguyễn dynasty. Do not split it into surname plus given name.
#4
Công Tằng Tôn Nữ
Meaning: extended royal-line surname form
Pronunciation guide: kong tang ton nuh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A longer aristocratic family-name form. It is included for recognition, not as an everyday surname suggestion.
#5
Công Nữ
Meaning: historic female-line aristocratic surname form
Pronunciation guide: kong nuh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound form seen in royal or aristocratic naming contexts, best used only when that context is intended.
#6
Hoàng Phủ
Meaning: compound Sino-Vietnamese surname form
Pronunciation guide: hwahng foo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound surname form also found in wider East Asian naming traditions. Keep the two words together.
#7
Phan Huy
Meaning: known compound family-name line
Pronunciation guide: fan hwee
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound family-name form associated with a notable Vietnamese scholarly lineage. It should not be automatically reduced to Phan.
#8
Nguyễn Hữu
Meaning: compound family-name line
Pronunciation guide: ngwen hyoo
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A multi-word family-name form where Hữu belongs with the family line in some contexts, rather than functioning as a given name.
#9
Trần Lê
Meaning: compound family-name form
Pronunciation guide: chan leh
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound family-name form that can appear in Vietnamese naming. Verify family context before treating either element as the sole surname.
#10
Đinh Công
Meaning: compound family-name form
Pronunciation guide: ding kong
Origin: Vietnamese surname
A compound surname form. Use it carefully because Công can also appear elsewhere in Vietnamese personal names.
How To Use Vietnamese Surnames Accurately
Vietnamese names need tone marks and name-order context. A full Vietnamese name usually places the family name first, then the middle name, then the given name, while many personal names can be one or two words long. Use this list for browsing, then open the Vietnamese surname generator when you want a fresh set to compare and save.
Name order
Vietnamese full names normally use family name, middle name, then given name. In English contexts the order may be adjusted, so check whether a name is being shown in Vietnamese or Western order.
Tone marks
Tone marks are not decoration. Vũ and Võ, Đỗ and Do, Lê and Le, or Nguyễn and Nguyen can collapse together in English-only systems, so this page keeps the marked forms where they matter.
Surname context
Vietnamese surnames are inherited family names, not style labels. Most are one syllable, but historic and compound forms should be kept together when that is the family line.
For a baby
Treat the list as research rather than final authority. For real-life naming, check tone marks, family name pairing, regional preference, and the full Vietnamese spelling with fluent speakers or family context.
For a character
Pick the surname first, then pair it with a plausible middle and given name. Nguyễn Văn Nam, Trần Thị Mai, and Lê Minh Đức read differently because family name, middle name, and given name each have a role.
For pronunciation
The pronunciation guide is only a practical English approximation. Vietnamese tones and regional pronunciation need native-speaker checking when the name will be spoken publicly.
For nearby lists
If you need a full Vietnamese name, pair this surname research with the Vietnamese female names and Vietnamese boy names lists. For other surname-first systems, compare the Chinese surnames guide and the surname section in Korean names.
FAQ
What are the most common Vietnamese surnames?
The most common Vietnamese surnames include Nguyễn, Trần, Lê, Phạm, Hoàng, Huỳnh, Phan, Vũ, Võ, Đặng, Bùi, Đỗ, Hồ, Ngô, Dương, Lý, Đinh, Đoàn, Trương, and Lâm. Nguyễn is especially common and is often estimated at roughly 40% of the population.
Do Vietnamese surnames come first?
Yes. In Vietnamese order, the family name normally comes first, followed by a middle name and then the given name. Nguyễn Văn Nam is Nguyễn-family, Văn middle name, and Nam given name.
Do Vietnamese surname tone marks matter?
Yes. Tone marks and Vietnamese letters can distinguish different surnames, such as Vũ and Võ, Đỗ and Do, or Lê and Le. English-language systems often remove marks, but the marked forms are better for accuracy.
Is Nguyen a first name or a surname?
Nguyễn is normally a Vietnamese family name or surname. It can appear at the beginning of a full Vietnamese name, but that does not mean it is the given name used for address.
Can Vietnamese surnames be compound names?
Most Vietnamese family names are one syllable, but compound family-name forms exist, especially in historic, aristocratic, or family-line contexts. Examples such as Tôn Thất, Tôn Nữ, and Nguyễn Phúc should be kept together when that context is intended.
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