Nguyen
Primarily a boy's name with 477 recorded births. Also given to 117 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A Vietnamese surname.
Nguyen is a boy's and girl's baby name of Vietnamese origin, the most common Vietnamese surname — carried by approximately 40% of the Vietnamese population. From the Vietnamese Nguyễn, ultimately derived from the Chinese Ruǎn (阮), a state in ancient China. Used as a first name, it carries the full weight of Vietnamese cultural identity.
Nguyen is not just a name — it is Vietnamese identity itself, the surname of emperors, revolutionaries, and the ordinary millions who carried Vietnam through war and peace. To wear it as a first name is to declare: I am Vietnamese, and that is everything.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Nguyen is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1975–2024). 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.
Today, Nguyen is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #11883), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nguyen was #7985 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11883, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 21 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 68 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 86 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 125 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 140 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 37 | — |
The Story of Nguyen
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Nguyen is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Nguyen are most likely born between 1975 and 1992.
How rare is Nguyen?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Nguyen — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, peaked in the 1980s with 140 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Nguyen by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Nguyen per day would take 1.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(46 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11883 |
| 2022 | 5 | #13751 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13494 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13486 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11736 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10417 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11774 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11731 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7879 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11713 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13480 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9458 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11850 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9413 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6703 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10694 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10339 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7497 |
| 2004 | 9 | #7985 |
| 2003 | 8 | #8392 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Nguyen as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Nguyen has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 117 births since 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nguyen a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nguyen most popular?
How popular is the name Nguyen?
Can Nguyen be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024