Tuyen
Primarily a girl's name of Vietnamese origin with 160 recorded births. Also given to 26 boys.
Meaning & Origin
When Tuyen hit its peak of 17 births in 1982, American naming was shifting away from mid-century classics toward more individualistic, expressive choices.
Today, Tuyen reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Tuyen is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Tuyen is a girl's and boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'stream' or 'flowing water' — one of the many Vietnamese names drawn from the natural world. Water names in Vietnamese culture carry associations of gentleness, persistence, and life-giving energy.
Vietnamese names like Tuyen have a particular clarity of meaning and sound — they reflect a naming tradition that values direct connection to nature, with each name carrying a precise, beautiful image from the natural world.
EtymologyShow more
Tuyen is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. 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 Tuyen creates its characteristic clean, contemporary 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
Tuyen has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 61 | #10435 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 99 | #7587 | — |
The Story of Tuyen
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Tuyen is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Tuyen are most likely born between 1980 and 1992.
How rare is Tuyen?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tuyen is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1980, peaked in the 1980s with 99 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Tuyen by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1980–1999)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | #16795 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10460 |
| 1994 | 9 | #9551 |
| 1993 | 8 | #10544 |
| 1992 | 8 | #10428 |
| 1991 | 12 | #7408 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7859 |
| 1988 | 14 | #5884 |
| 1987 | 14 | #5601 |
| 1986 | 5 | #12740 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6440 |
| 1984 | 5 | #12094 |
| 1983 | 13 | #5439 |
| 1982 | 17 | #4519 |
| 1981 | 14 | #5235 |
| 1980 | 6 | #10331 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tuyen as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Tuyen has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 26 births since 1980.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tuyen a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tuyen most popular?
How popular is the name Tuyen?
Can Tuyen be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–1999