hoten

Hoten, written in Vietnamese as họ tên, refers to a person’s full name. It is a fundamental element of identity in Vietnamese culture and appears in official documents, forms, and introductions. The concept encompasses more than a given name; it reflects family lineage and, in many cases, cultural and familial expectations.

In Vietnamese naming, the usual order is family name (họ) first, followed by a middle name (đệm) and finally the given name (tên). The middle name is common and can carry generational or aesthetic meaning, but some individuals have only two parts: family name and given name. Examples include Nguyễn Văn An (Nguyễn = họ, Văn = đệm, An = tên) and Trần Quốc Bảo (Trần = họ, Quốc = đệm, Bảo = tên). In female names, Thị has historically served as a common middle name, though its use varies today.

In practical use, people are often addressed with a title plus their full name in formal settings, such as Ông Nguyễn Văn An or Bà Lê Thị Hoa, though among family and close friends the given name may be used with appropriate politeness. For indexing and sorting in records, the family name is typically used as the primary identifier, aligning with Vietnamese practice, though procedures can differ by institution or country.

The concept of hoten also extends to modern contexts, where diaspora communities may romanize names or adapt diacritics for international use. Names frequently reflect cultural heritage, personal or family aspirations, and evolving social norms, making hoten a central aspect of Vietnamese identity.