Thuan
Primarily a boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 207 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Thuan, you're looking at a name that fewer than 207 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The clean, contemporary ending gives Thuan a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
Thuan is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Thuan is a boy's and girl's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'favorable,' 'agreeable,' or 'smooth-going,' from the Vietnamese thuận (順) — a Sino-Vietnamese character carrying the sense of things proceeding harmoniously and without obstruction. It expresses the wish for a smooth, fortunate life.
Thuan carries the optimism of a name that hopes for ease and harmony in a child's path. It is used in Vietnam and among Vietnamese diaspora communities, with a clean, single-syllable sound that works easily across languages.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Thuan is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1979–2009). Its Vietnamese 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 207 total births, Thuan 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
Thuan has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1979.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 53 | #10868 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 49 | #5931 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 99 | #5062 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | #5979 | — |
The Story of Thuan
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1981, Thuan is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Thuan are most likely born between 1979 and 1991.
How rare is Thuan?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Thuan is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, peaked in the 1980s with 99 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Thuan by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1979–2009)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | #14293 |
| 2007 | 6 | #12203 |
| 2005 | 5 | #13176 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9835 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6677 |
| 2002 | 8 | #8369 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10422 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11972 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6926 |
| 1993 | 11 | #5324 |
| 1992 | 9 | #6089 |
| 1991 | 14 | #4205 |
| 1990 | 7 | #7109 |
| 1989 | 7 | #6857 |
| 1988 | 6 | #7177 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6876 |
| 1986 | 15 | #3253 |
| 1985 | 11 | #4026 |
| 1984 | 12 | #3672 |
| 1983 | 7 | #5434 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Thuan as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Thuan has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1982.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thuan a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thuan most popular?
How popular is the name Thuan?
Can Thuan be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2009