Dat
A boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 534 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Pronunciation spelling of that.
Dat is a boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'goal,' 'accomplished,' or 'to achieve,' from the Vietnamese word expressing success and the fulfillment of aspiration. The name carries the hope that the child will accomplish great things in life.
Dat is a common Vietnamese masculine name in the United States, brought by Vietnamese American families who maintain their naming heritage. Its single syllable travels naturally across both Vietnamese and English-speaking contexts, and its meaning of achievement resonates with universal parental hopes.
EtymologyShow more
Dat first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1979. First appearing in the 1970s, Dat emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Vietnamese classification suggests a path from vietnamese linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dat has 38+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1979.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 49 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 150 | — |
| 1990s | 165 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 160 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Dat
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1981, Dat is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Dat are most likely born between 1979 and 1991.
How rare is Dat?
With 534 total births on record, Dat remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, peaked in the 1990s with 165 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dat by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Dat per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1979–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | #12462 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12707 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8190 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11040 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8266 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8224 |
| 2010 | 11 | #7188 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6512 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6477 |
| 2007 | 14 | #5979 |
| 2006 | 20 | #4547 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5352 |
| 2004 | 18 | #4640 |
| 2003 | 20 | #4143 |
| 2002 | 18 | #4356 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8504 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5644 |
| 1999 | 18 | #4019 |
| 1998 | 17 | #4054 |
| 1997 | 14 | #4497 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dat a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dat most popular?
How popular is the name Dat?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2020