Moua
A boy's name with 167 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Moua is a baby name used in Hmong communities, serving as both a given name and surname among Hmong families from Southeast Asia — particularly from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam — who resettled in the United States.
The Hmong community brought a rich naming tradition to America, where names carry clan, spiritual, and familial significance. Moua is one of the major Hmong clan surnames that is also used as a given name, connecting the bearer to a community and lineage.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Moua is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1981–2003). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
With 167 total births, Moua exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Moua has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 89 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 73 | — |
The Story of Moua
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1989, Moua is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Moua are most likely born between 1981 and 1999.
How rare is Moua?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Moua is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 1990s with 89 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Moua by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 1981–2003)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 | #12142 |
| 1998 | 7 | #8174 |
| 1997 | 8 | #7066 |
| 1996 | 9 | #6338 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8530 |
| 1994 | 9 | #6188 |
| 1993 | 10 | #5657 |
| 1992 | 16 | #3864 |
| 1991 | 10 | #5386 |
| 1990 | 14 | #4120 |
| 1989 | 19 | #3172 |
| 1988 | 10 | #4666 |
| 1987 | 15 | #3289 |
| 1984 | 8 | #4843 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5987 |
| 1982 | 7 | #5420 |
| 1981 | 8 | #4815 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moua a boy's or girl's name?
When was Moua most popular?
How popular is the name Moua?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–2003