Nhung
A girl's name of Chinese origin with 215 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name from Chinese
Nhung is a girl's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'velvet' or 'soft fabric.' In Vietnamese, nhung (絨) describes the soft, plush texture of velvet — a name evoking softness, delicacy, and quiet luxury. It is used primarily in Vietnam and among Vietnamese diaspora communities.
Vietnamese names frequently draw from nature, materials, and sensory qualities to evoke the character parents hope for their child. Nhung's textile meaning gives it a tactile warmth — a name that feels as gentle as the material it references.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Nhung is a girl's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1980–2002). Its Chinese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 215 total births, Nhung 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
Nhung has 19+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10 | #17285 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 91 | #8901 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 114 | #6525 | — |
The Story of Nhung
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Nhung is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Nhung are most likely born between 1980 and 1997.
How rare is Nhung?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Nhung is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1980, peaked in the 1980s with 114 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Nhung by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(19 years, 1980–2002)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | #17368 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17202 |
| 1999 | 5 | #16143 |
| 1998 | 8 | #10845 |
| 1997 | 9 | #9588 |
| 1994 | 10 | #8601 |
| 1993 | 10 | #8512 |
| 1992 | 17 | #5649 |
| 1991 | 19 | #5124 |
| 1990 | 13 | #6745 |
| 1988 | 8 | #8967 |
| 1987 | 19 | #4423 |
| 1986 | 10 | #6958 |
| 1985 | 15 | #5012 |
| 1984 | 5 | #11609 |
| 1983 | 18 | #4228 |
| 1982 | 17 | #4474 |
| 1981 | 14 | #5159 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7895 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nhung a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nhung most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–2002