binh

Binh, written with the Vietnamese diacritic as Bình, is a common element in Vietnam's language, used as both a given name and a place-name element. In English-language texts it often appears without diacritics as Binh.

Etymology and meaning: Bình is derived from the Vietnamese word meaning peaceful, calm, even, or level. It appears in many compound terms, such as hòa bình (peace), bình đẳng (equality), and bình minh (dawn).

Names: As a given name, Bình is used for males in Vietnam and among Vietnamese communities abroad. It can also appear as a surname, though it is less common than more widespread Vietnamese family names. In given-name usage, Bình may occur alone or as part of two-syllable names.

Toponymy: Bình is a frequent prefix or component in Vietnamese place names and administrative areas. It conveys positive connotations and is used across provinces, districts, and towns. Examples include Bình Dương Province, Bình Định Province, and Bình Thuận Province, as well as districts such as Bình Thạnh in Ho Chi Minh City and Bình Chánh. The same element is found in many other geographical names.

See also: Bình (disambiguation); Vietnamese naming conventions; toponyms with Bình.