Tuan
A boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 1,417 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Sir, mister
Tuan is a boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'orderly' or proper, and also serving as an honorific meaning 'mister' or 'sir' in Vietnamese. It is one of the most common Vietnamese given names.
Tuan carries the cultural richness of Vietnamese naming traditions, where names often carry moral or aspirational meanings. In Vietnamese American communities, it bridges heritage and new beginnings — a name that honors where a family came from while looking forward.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Tuan is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1971–2021). 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.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Tuan’s 1,417 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Tuan has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tuan has 46+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1971.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | #12015 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 75 | #9724 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 153 | #5842 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 303 | #2977 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 710 | #1151 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 170 | #2457 | — |
The Story of Tuan
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Tuan is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Tuan are most likely born between 1972 and 1992.
How rare is Tuan?
With 1,417 total births on record, Tuan remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, peaked in the 1980s with 710 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tuan by the numbers
- Would fill 30 school buses
- Meeting one Tuan per day would take 3.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(46 years, 1971–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | #12015 |
| 2019 | 6 | #12020 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10657 |
| 2017 | 5 | #14095 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8751 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8685 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8720 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7512 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9531 |
| 2010 | 11 | #7548 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7198 |
| 2008 | 16 | #5746 |
| 2007 | 12 | #7048 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6435 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6603 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6942 |
| 2003 | 21 | #4100 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5377 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5985 |
| 2000 | 30 | #2984 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tuan a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tuan most popular?
How popular is the name Tuan?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2021