thanh

Thanh is a Vietnamese given name that may also appear as a rare surname, used by people in Vietnam and in Vietnamese-speaking communities abroad. It is commonly used for individuals of any gender and is widely recognized in Vietnamese names.

Etymology and meaning vary with the characters used in Sino-Vietnamese naming. In Vietnamese, the meaning associated with Thanh can reflect qualities such as brightness, clarity, purity, or virtue, and some combinations emphasize achievement or success. As an unaccented form, Thanh is often encountered in international contexts, while Vietnamese text may write the name with diacritics as Thành or Thánh, which carry different meanings in ordinary language.

Usage and distribution: In Vietnam, Thanh frequently appears as a given-name element and can stand alone or form part of a longer given name. Vietnamese names typically place the family name first, followed by middle names and the given name, so Thanh commonly serves as the final element of a personal name. The name is common across generations and is also found among the Vietnamese diaspora.

Surname and other notes: As a surname, Thanh is much less common than its use as a given name. In non-Vietnamese contexts, it can be a transliteration of other names or appear in brand names, literature, or media. The meaning and resonance of the name can vary by regional and cultural context, reflecting the broader Vietnamese naming tradition of conveying positive attributes through personal names.