Is Thanh a boy's or girl's name?

Thanh is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 650 recorded births.

When was Thanh most popular?

Thanh reached its peak popularity in 1982 with 74 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Thanh?

Thanh is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 1,099 babies in the U.S. since 1976. Its peak was in 1982.

Thanh

An uncommon Vietnamese pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsVietnameseNot ranked recently

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

a unisex given name from Chinese

Thanh is a unisex baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'bright, clear, pure' or 'sound of a musical instrument.' In Vietnamese, the word thanh can refer to clarity of sound, purity of color, or the elegant quality of something refined and beautiful.

One of the most common given names in Vietnam, Thanh carries a cultural aesthetic of clarity and refinement — the idea that brightness and purity of character are the highest qualities to aspire to. In Vietnamese-American communities, it bridges cultural heritage with a short, accessible sound that works in any language.

Compare Thanh with another name

Popularity Over Time

Thanh has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1976.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Thanh
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	5	#13869	▼
2010s	70	#9644	▼
2000s	153	#6130	▼
1990s	300	#2869	▼
1980s	494	#1482	▲
1970s	77	#2797	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(43 years, 1976–2021)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Thanh
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2021	5	#13869	-2 (-28.6%)
2019	7	#10695	+1 (16.7%)
2016	6	#12013	-1 (-14.3%)
2015	7	#10513	-2 (-22.2%)
2014	9	#8721	-4 (-30.8%)
2013	13	#6564	0
2012	13	#6599	+3 (30.0%)
2011	10	#8002	+5 (100.0%)
2010	5	#14046	-1 (-16.7%)
2009	6	#12326	-5 (-45.5%)
2008	11	#7651	-1 (-8.3%)
2007	12	#7035	-2 (-14.3%)
2006	14	#6064	-1 (-6.7%)
2005	15	#5547	+2 (15.4%)
2004	13	#6100	-3 (-18.8%)
2003	16	#5021	-5 (-23.8%)
2002	21	#4030	+1 (5.0%)
2001	20	#4108	-5 (-20.0%)
2000	25	#3414	-3 (-10.7%)
1999	28	#3024	+17 (154.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Thanh as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Thanh has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 650 births since 1976.

Unranked

Current rank

650

Total births

1985

Peak year

Compare Thanh as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Thanh be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Thanh is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it is not currently ranked. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1976–2021) · Methodology