Tu
Primarily a boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 313 recorded births. Also given to 114 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Abbreviation of Tuesday.
Tu is a boy's and girl's baby name of Vietnamese origin, a common Vietnamese given name with multiple possible characters and meanings depending on the written form — including 'scholar, educated person' (tú), 'to cultivate' (tu), or 'beautiful' — each reflecting different aspirations for the child.
Tu is one of the shorter Vietnamese names, carrying the clarity and directness of the Vietnamese naming tradition where brief names with meaningful characters are prized. In the U.S., it appears primarily in Vietnamese American communities, where it carries both cultural heritage and the specific meaning chosen by parents.
EtymologyShow more
Tu is built from 2 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Vietnamese naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Tu creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tu has 28+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1978.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | #12165 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 33 | #11695 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 91 | #6992 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 166 | #3149 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 17 | #4539 | — |
The Story of Tu
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Tu is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Tu are most likely born between 1978 and 1997.
How rare is Tu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1978, peaked in the 1980s with 166 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tu by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1978–2011)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | #12165 |
| 2005 | 5 | #13222 |
| 2004 | 6 | #11248 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12641 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10579 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10459 |
| 2000 | 5 | #12023 |
| 1999 | 5 | #11503 |
| 1998 | 5 | #11197 |
| 1996 | 8 | #7094 |
| 1995 | 5 | #10237 |
| 1994 | 11 | #5429 |
| 1993 | 15 | #4207 |
| 1992 | 19 | #3453 |
| 1991 | 13 | #4462 |
| 1990 | 10 | #5349 |
| 1989 | 19 | #3200 |
| 1988 | 10 | #4758 |
| 1987 | 25 | #2329 |
| 1986 | 13 | #3639 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tu as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Tu has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 114 births since 1978.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tu most popular?
How popular is the name Tu?
Can Tu be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1978–2011