How do names work in Thai? As odd as this may seem, Thai naming conventions have a pretty unique and interesting history.
Beyond that, the idea of nicknames also offers a different perspective on Thai culture. Hence, you’ll get a glimpse of names in Thai with their naming culture.
To learn Thai, having some idea of how names in Thai work can help understand how communication works and how to address people correctly.
If you have family or friends with these Thai names, you can understand the cultural background surrounding their names, too!
We have talked previously about how to be polite in Thai, and this topic can play a part in that. So, for today, let’s have a glimpse at names in Thai.
Table of Contents
What Is The History Of Names In Thai?
In Thailand, the use of surnames is a relatively recent development, introduced in the 20th century. Prior to that, individuals were identified by their first names, and middle names were not utilized.
In 1913, the King mandated the adoption of surnames, aligning with Western naming conventions.
This shift prompted the creation of unique and complex surnames to prevent duplication, leading to the widespread use of nicknames for simplicity.
About Thai Nicknames
Due to the length of some names in Thai, it’s common for individuals to have nicknames, which are shorter and more frequently used than their real names.
These nicknames, assigned at birth by parents, may not necessarily relate to their given names but can be based on physical features, behavior, or desirable qualities.
Some nicknames are chosen randomly but carry symbolic meaning, such as wealth or knowledge.
Interestingly, when communicating with foreigners, Thai individuals may opt for an English name to ease pronunciation, though Thai nicknames are often short and easily pronounceable in both English and Thai.
What Are The Honorifics For Thai Names
Honorifics, like kun (คุณ) in Thai, signify a person’s relationship and are used for formality. Thai honorifics, particularly pronouns, are intricate, and influenced by factors like age, gender, and politeness.
Kinship terms, like pîi (พี่), indicate relationships and may be used loosely for close connections.
Titles such as kruu (ครู) for teacher or mǒ (หมอ) for doctor are placed before a person’s name or nickname in conversation.
What Are The Most Common Thai Names For Males?
Do you have a Thai male friend? You might be surprised that many Thai people share common nicknames with others.
But of course, there are very special nicknames that only their family has coined.
Starting with male names in Thai, a few are pretty popular.
Somchai (สมชาย)
If you look up any list of common Thai names for males, you will come across this one. That is because this is by far one of the most famous names for males in Thailand.
You can see the prefix sǒm (สม) that we mentioned earlier here – in this case, together with the word chaai (ชาย) meaning male.
Somsak (สมศักดิ์)
The name Somsak is another of the more popular Thai names for males.
As you can probably see, it is very similar to the name above. It once again reflects that the bearer of the name is worthy of something – honor or prestige.
Arthit (อาทิตย์)
Those of you who are familiar with the names of the planets in Thai will know that Arthit means Sun (yes, I realize that the Sun is not a planet).
While that would be a deep enough meaning alone, the Sun’s name in Thai is derived from the name of a Hindu god (and the word for Sunday).
Kittisak (กิตติศักดิ์)
As with most Thai names, this one shows that you have high hopes for your child.
The two parts of the name together mean something like renowned power, meaning they are particularly strong.
I imagine many guys would like this to be their name.
What Are The Most Common Thai Names For Females?
Just as there are many common Thai names for males, there are many common names specifically for females too.
Mali (มะลิ)
Flowers and beauty are concepts often associated with femininity, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the word for flower is a common Thai name for girls.
Specifically, it refers to Jasmine, grown throughout Thailand for tea and rice.
A-Nong (อนงค์)
This is a nice name as it means beautiful. They say that children grow into their names to reflect their meaning and the supposed traits it conveys, so choosing a name with this meaning should be easy to understand.
It is used as a female name due to some connotations for the meaning.
Popular Thai Names For Baby Girls And With Meanings
Most girl names in Thai are related to being graceful, beautiful, and delicate.
But, you’ll also find empowering Thai names that you can name your kids in this list. Let’s check it out!
Popular Baby Boy Names In Thai And Their Meanings
Looking for that perfect name for your baby boy?
If you’re married to a Thai, then you’ll have plenty of suggestions from this list of boy names in Thai!
How Do You Say Name In Thai?
The Thai word for name is ชื่อ (chʉ̂ʉ)
If you want to introduce yourself, you can say ‘my name is …’ or phǒm/chǎn chʉ̂ʉ /
Other Vocabulary For Names In Thai
Now that you know how to say ‘My name is …’ in Thai, you can try practicing introducing yourself with some of the most popular names in Thai.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| My name is … | ผม/ฉันชื่อ | phǒm/chǎn chʉ̂ʉ | |
| My name is Somchai | ผมชื่อสมชาย | phǒm chʉ̂ʉ sǒm chaay | |
| My name is Mali | ฉันชื่อมะลิ | chǎn chʉ̂ʉ málí |
Tips On Saying Names In Thai
When addressing people by their names in Thai, there are some things that you should know when it comes to politeness and cultural customs.
Here are some tips for you to keep in mind when saying someone’s name in Thai.
- Thai names are structured into two names. The first name and the last name. Last names aren’t used in daily conversation, as they are usually reserved for use on official documents. The first name is the one used in formal daily conversation.
- When using someone’s name, you should put an honorific in front. Kun (คุณ) is a universally accepted honorific, but is seen as super formal and used with strangers or those of a higher class (similar to sir/madam).
- With family or friends around, you can use the honorifics pîi (พี่) and nɔ́ɔng (น้อง) before their name. The former is used with those older than you, and the latter with those younger.
- Thai people also have nicknames. These are used more often and it’s common for a lot of Thai people to have nicknames that sound just like English words, so don’t be surprised when you learn that someone’s nickname is ‘Beer’!
With practice and using these tips, you should be able to correctly refer to someone and use their names in Thai.
Frequently Asked Questions About Names In Thailand
1. What Are Some Common Thai Names?
We’ve explored lots of common Thai names in this article, including Somchai, Somsak, Arthit, Kittisak, Mali, and many more.
Of course, this is a non-exhaustive list, and there are many other popular Thai names.
2. Why Do Thai People Have Two Names?
Thai people usually have a nickname and a birth name. They have nicknames because their birth names are often way too long.
Take famous Thai actor Bright Vachirawit for example. “Bright” is his nickname, while “Vachiwarit” is his birth name.
3. How Are Thai Names Ordered?
Thai names are typically ordered like this: Nickname, Birth Name, Surname.
Using our previous example, Bright’s full name is Bright Vachirawit Chivaree. “Bright” is his surname, “Vachiwarit” is his birth name, and “Chivaree” is his surname.
Learn More About Thai Culture Through Names
So, while this seems like a pretty long topic, it is useful and ultimately important for learning Thai.
There are several things to be mindful of when speaking and addressing other people, such as honorifics.
Using polite Thai phrases will be useful if you know how to use Thai names properly with family and friends.
Add this with honorifics, and you’ll be seen as the most polite person in the room!
Altogether, it makes for an interesting glimpse into the culture of Thailand, its history, and how people communicate.
It’s a big topic and connects with bigger topics in Thai social structure.
Practice And Learn More Thai!
Learning about names in Thai, as well as the culture surrounding them is important if you’re trying to connect with Thai friends and family.
Honorifics are a vital part of this, being as important as Thai grammar terms like pronouns.
Now, if you really want to dive deeper into learning about Thai culture to speak with friends and family, a great way is to learn Thai language.
One of the best ways to do so is by using the help of a language learning app like the Ling app.
The Ling app’s Thai course can help you master all the important aspects of the Thai language.
Units 1-20 are vital to building a solid foundation so you can learn about Thai customs much faster and easier.
To learn and practice your Thai at anytime and at any place, try out the Ling app today!
