120 Thai Baby Names For Boys And Girls
Names that give you a taste of the exquisite and exotic Siamese culture.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Thailand, a country of sandy beaches, spicy cuisines, and tropical islands, has a heritage that is a fusion of hospitality, generosity, and spirituality. The same can be said about Thai baby names. These reflect the nobility, region, or religion the child belongs to. Thai parents give informal names or nicknames to their children, which they continue to use until the formal registration of the given name. In Thailand, it's customary for individuals to receive a short and endearing nickname during infancy or early years, often comprised of just one or two syllables. When someone presents their nickname, it's customary to use that name for addressing them, unlike in Western tradition, where titles and surnames are commonly employed. Thai culture emphasizes addressing individuals by their personal names, showing a distinct cultural approach to identification. In Thailand, the notion of a 'middle name' doesn't hold sway, and the choice of a family name can sometimes be influenced by religious or personal beliefs (1). For the surname, the people of Thailand follow a Western-European pattern in which a given name is followed by the family name. You’ll notice a wide range of diversity in Thai family names, as they are required to be unique. The noble descendants take the name of their ancestors as their surname. While not widespread, the practice of adopting a new family name exists. Also, there are quite a number of Thai people who change their names frequently, either because of superstition, separation, or divorce. The last names are changed less often because they need the permission of the head of the family. Seeking counsel from monks, fortune tellers, or esteemed community figures is customary for parents aiming to select an auspicious name with positive connotations that embodies their hopes for their child. The common practice of using 'Khun' followed by the personal name, such as 'Khun Somchai,' serves as a gender-neutral honorific, akin to Mr/Mrs/Miss (2). This honorific finds its place in formal settings and when addressing unfamiliar individuals. So whether you have Thai ancestors or you happen to like Thai cuisine, if you want a Thai name for your baby, take a look at our collection below. We’ve covered everything for you.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 A-wut |  Boy | Weapon | |
| Aat | Boy | Someone who is daring | |
| Achara | Girl | An angel who is very pretty or beautiful | |
| Ananada | Boy | One who is prosperous | |
| Anong | Girl | A gorgeous woman | |
| Anuman | Boy | Small patience | |
| Anurak | Boy | The male angel in Thai mythology. | |
| Aom | Girl | To encircle; To embrace | |
| Aroon | Boy | Mythical charioteer of the sun; Dawn | |
| Asnee | Boy | Lightning | |
| Atid | Boy | The sun | |
| Beam | Girl | Ray of light | |
| Benz | Boy | The blessed one | |
| Boon-Mee | Boy | Lucky; A lucky and fortunate boy | |
| Boon-Nam | Boy | One born with a good fortune | |
| Boonsri | Girl | Beautiful | |
| Busarakham | Girl | Yellow sapphire | |
| Chai | Boy | A lively person who is filled with joy | |
| Chai Son | Boy | A mischievous boy | |
| Chaisai | Boy | Victory | |
| Chaiya | Boy | Victory | |
| Chakan | Boy | An able bodied person | |
| Chalerm | Boy | Celebrated | |
| Chalermchai | Boy | A celebrated victory | |
| Chaloem | Boy | The apex | |
| Channarong | Boy | An experienced warrior | |
| Chuanchen | Boy | Persuasion | |
| David | Boy | Beloved | |
| Daw |  Unisex | Bright and beautiful stars | |
| Decha | Boy | Power; A powerful person | |
| Duangkamol | Girl | Right from the heart | |
| Duanphen | Girl | Full moon | |
| Earth | Boy | Planet or the soil | |
| Fern | Unisex | Green, shade loving plant | |
| Gan | Unisex | The bold one | |
| Hom | Girl | The sweet smell | |
| Ice | Boy | Frozen water or liquid | |
| Jane | Girl | God is gracious | |
| Kamnan | Boy | The head of the village | |
| Kannika | Girl | A beautiful flower | |
| Kanok | Girl | Design or pattern | |
| Kanokwan | Girl | Kanok means gold, Wan means sweet | |
| Karawek | Girl | A bird found in Thailand; Bird | |
| Karnchana | Girl | A beautiful and lovely girl | |
| Kasem | Boy | The feeling of pure happiness | |
| Kasemchai | Boy | A victorious celebration | |
| Khemkhaeng | Boy | A strong and powerful man | |
| Khun Mae | Girl | The honorable mother | |
| Kiet | Boy | Honorable | |
| Kittibun | Boy | Famous fortune | |
| Kittichat | Boy | Famous clan or belonging to a famous clan | |
| Kla | Boy | A brave and bold man | |
| Klaew Kla | Boy | One who is brave and daring | |
| Kob Sook | Boy | A man with his heart full of happiness | |
| Kohsoom | Girl | Lotus in Thai language | |
| Kovit | Boy | Kovit means He who is an Expert | |
| Kraisee | Boy | Lion, as brave as a lion. | |
| Kriang Krai | Boy | A man who is well versed in victory. | |
| Kulap | Girl | The flower rose. | |
| Kwang | Girl | Deer | |
| Lamai | Girl | One of soft skin and nature; A caring person | |
| Lamon | Boy | Gentle | |
| Lawan | Girl | Beautiful | |
| Lawana | Girl | A graceful and beautiful individual | |
| Lek | Boy | A small person | |
| Madee | Girl | A good beginning | |
| Makok | Unisex | A place name; One who is from the town Makok in Thailand | |
| Malai | Girl | A garland of flowers in Thai | |
| Malee | Girl | Flower; A flower in Thailand | |
| Malivalaya | Girl | Climbing jasmine | |
| May | Girl | The fifth month | |
| Mayuree | Girl | Beautiful | |
| Mee Noi | Boy | Little bear | |
| Mild | Girl | Kind; Soft-spoken; Tolerant; Mild-tempered; Patient | |
| Mongkut | Boy | Crown | |
| Nan | Girl | Grace; Elegance; Poise; Balanced | |
| Narong | Boy | War mongering; Ready for war | |
| Natcha | Girl | Intelligent | |
| Nattapong | Boy | An unknown name | |
| Nin | Girl | Sapphire | |
| Niran | Boy | One who is everlasting and never ending | |
| Paitoon | Boy | A beautiful gemstone found in Thailand. | |
| Pakpao | Girl | The fighter kite | |
| Pensri | Girl | The beauty of the moon | |
| Phaelyn | Girl | Sapphire; A variant of Phailin | |
| Phaibun | Girl | To prosper and flourish | |
| Phailin | Girl | Sapphire; A variant of Phaelyn | |
| Phairoh | Girl | Pleasant sounding | |
| Phassakorn | Boy | Sun | |
| Phawta | Girl | Pleasing to the eye | |
| Phichit | Boy | To win; One who is habituated to win | |
| Phitsamai | Girl | An adorable woman | |
| Phueng | Girl | Bee | |
| Pimchan | Girl | Beautiful as the moon | |
| Ploy | Girl | Precious stone or gem | |
| Pravat | Boy | A historic person | |
| Preed | Boy | A joyful individual | |
| Prija | Girl | Intelligence; An intelligent and smart woman | |
| Ratanaporn | Girl | Crystal blessing | |
| Ritthirong | Boy | Good in fighting | |
Amidst the lively and varied canvas of Thai culture, names carry deep importance, reflecting a family's legacy, principles, and dreams. Through a collaborative process involving families, elders, and spiritual leaders, the selected name for the baby echoes parental ambitions while staying in harmony with Thai customs and societal standards. As you approach the end of this collection of Thai baby names, we trust that your discovery of each name's significance and origin has brought both motivation and delight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some popular Thai baby names for twins?
Some feminine Thai names for twins can be Achara meaning 'pretty angel,' and Anong, meaning 'beautiful woman.' Another pair of names is Kamon, and Kanda, meaning 'heart' and 'beloved,' respectively. Some masculine names include Prasert and Preecha, which means 'excellent' and 'intelligence,' respectively. Somchai and Somsak mean 'worthy man' and 'power,' respectively.
2. What are some common characteristics of Thai baby names?
Thai names are usually used for official records or record-keeping purposes. However, nicknames given at birth are generally used to refer to them daily. In some cases, nicknames are preferred over the official given name. Thai names can be changed frequently compared to their surnames, and they usually carry a positive connotation (1).
3. Can Thai baby names be based on astrology or horoscopes?
Astrology has been an essential part of the Thai naming conventions. It has been used since ancient times. It uses the birthday to construct a name based on an individual's eight unique attributes, which can impact the person's livelihood and fortune (2).
4. How do Thai baby names reflect the culture and traditions of the country?
Thai names are deeply rooted in their culture and traditions. They depict a mix of religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Animism. Thai names are usually derived from Sanskrit or Pali language and carry strong virtues in their meanings.
5. What are the laws or regulations regarding Thai baby names in Thailand?
Thai names are usually arranged in the order of a given name, followed by a family name in capital letters, for example, Parfun Vaiyasingha. Thai names follow a patrilineal system, and women will take on their husband's surnames after marriage. Middle names are usually non-existent in Thailand; people can change them often (3).
References:
- Naming Conventions.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/thai-culture/thai-culture-naming - A Guide To Names And Naming Practices.
https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf - Thailand Personal Names
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Thailand_Personal_Names - Constructing a Rule Based Naming System for Thai Names Using the Concept of Ontologies
https://aclanthology.org/W06-2612.pdf
- Naming Conventions.
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
