Thao

Thao is a term used in several distinct contexts, most notably as the name of an indigenous group in Taiwan and as a part of Vietnamese naming practice. It can also refer to the Thao language, historically spoken by the same people.

The Thao are an indigenous people of Taiwan, traditionally living in the central part of the island, notably around Taichung and Nantou. They are one of the Formosan indigenous groups formally recognized by the Taiwanese government. Historically, Thao society relied on a mix of agriculture, hunting, and fishing, with customs and social organization shaped by long-standing interactions with neighboring communities, including the Bunun and other Taiwan groups. Today, Thao communities are part of Taiwan’s broader programming on indigenous rights, language preservation, and cultural revival.

The Thao language is an Austronesian Formosan language once spoken by the Thao people in central Taiwan. It belongs to the Northern Formosan branch and is considered endangered or nearly extinct, with only a small number of elderly speakers reported in past decades. Efforts have been made by linguists and community groups to document and preserve the language, though active daily use by younger generations has remained limited.

In Vietnamese usage, Thao (with the diacritic form Thảo) is a common element in given names and, less frequently, surnames. The name is often associated with meanings related to grass or herbs. In diaspora communities, Thảo appears in various compound given names and is encountered across Vietnamese-speaking populations.

Overall, Thao reflects a blend of cultural heritage, linguistic history, and naming traditions spanning Taiwan and Vietnamese-speaking regions.