Thao

An uncommon Vietnamese pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysVietnameseNot ranked recently
Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A member of an aboriginal people of central Taiwan.

Thao is a girl's and boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, from the Vietnamese Thảo meaning 'grass, herbs' or 'filial piety, respectful.' In Vietnamese culture, both interpretations carry value — the natural world's simplicity and growth, and the Confucian virtue of respect for parents and ancestors.

One of the most common Vietnamese feminine names, Thao carries a gentle, nature-connected meaning alongside a deep cultural value. In Vietnamese-American communities, it bridges heritage with a compact, two-syllable sound that works naturally in English — a name of quiet dignity and genuine cultural rootedness.

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Popularity Over Time

Thao has 42+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1975.

015294458198020002017

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Thao
DecadeBirthsTrend
2010s48
2000s131
1990s375
1980s424
1970s62

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(42 years, 19752017)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Thao
YearBirthsRank
20175#18210
20155#18868
20147#14438
20137#14469
20125#19293
20119#12064
201010#11184
20097#15109
200812#10031
200713#9500
20068#13507
200510#10857
200411#9841
200316#7181
200216#7020
200118#6301
200020#5687
199929#4079
199827#4230
199724#4502

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

Thao as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Thao has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 192 births since 1979.

Unranked
Current rank
192
Total births
1989
Peak year
Compare Thao as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

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

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19752017) · Methodology