Phu
A boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 282 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Phu is a boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'wealthy, prosperous' or 'abundant.' It is a traditional Vietnamese given name that carries aspirations of good fortune and material success — values deeply embedded in Vietnamese naming traditions.
In Vietnamese American communities, Phu appears frequently as a given name among first-generation immigrants, representing the hopes parents carried with them across the Pacific.
EtymologyShow more
Phu is cataloged under the Vietnamese naming tradition. Names from the Vietnamese tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Phu has been recorded as a boy's name since 1980, with 282 total births. Browse the Vietnamese names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phu has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | #11949 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 11 | #12681 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 43 | #10195 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 99 | #6354 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 123 | #4147 | — |
The Story of Phu
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Phu is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Phu are most likely born between 1980 and 1997.
How rare is Phu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Phu 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 123 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phu by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1980–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | #11949 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11792 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13569 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12190 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6970 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8902 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12265 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9145 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11700 |
| 1999 | 5 | #11166 |
| 1998 | 8 | #7358 |
| 1997 | 10 | #5985 |
| 1996 | 7 | #7747 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6829 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5773 |
| 1993 | 9 | #6100 |
| 1992 | 14 | #4275 |
| 1991 | 15 | #3964 |
| 1990 | 13 | #4347 |
| 1989 | 11 | #4735 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phu most popular?
How popular is the name Phu?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–2022