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Thai names: 120+ girl names, boy names, last names and nicknames with meanings

127 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Thai names include girl names like Malee (flower), boy names like Arthit (sun) and Somchai (worthy man), Thai last names like Wongsawat (lineage and well-being), and short everyday nicknames like Nok (bird). Most Thais have a long formal name, often built from Pali or Sanskrit, plus a short chue len (nickname), often one syllable, given in childhood that friends, teachers and coworkers use instead.

Below are 120+ Thai names, most in Thai script, with their meanings and a rough pronunciation that leaves out the tones. Thai spellings in English vary, so Kaew is also written Kaeo. Sections cover Thai girl names from flowers, the moon and gems, Thai women's names meaning beauty and love, Thai boy names for victory and wisdom, unisex names, Thai last names, and popular nicknames from animals, nature and English words.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Niran (นิรันดร์)

    Eternal, everlasting. Say nih-ran

  • Bright

    English word for clever and full of light

  • Darunee (ดรุณี)

    Young girl. Say dah-roo-nee

  • Limjaroenrat (ลิ้มเจริญรัตน์)

    Lim from Chinese Lin (林), plus prosperity and gem

  • Fah (ฟ้า)

    Sky; a short name and nickname for anyone

  • Arthit (อาทิตย์)

    Sun; also the Thai word for Sunday. Say ah-tit

Find a Thai name on this page

Narrow 127 names by section, length or first letter, or search the notes.

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Thai girl names from flowers and nature

Flowers, garlands, water and graceful birds. Many come from Pali and Sanskrit and sound elegant in Thai.

  1. Malee (มาลี): Flower, a poetic Thai word from Pali. Say mah-lee
  2. Mali (มะลิ): Arabian jasmine, the flower of Thai Mother's Day. Say mah-lih. The official spelling system writes Malee as Mali too
  3. Kulap (กุหลาบ): Rose, the garden flower. Say goo-LAHP
  4. Ubon (อุบล): Lotus or water lily; an elegant Thai word. Say oo-bon
  5. Kannika (กรรณิการ์): Night-flowering jasmine. Say gahn-nee-GAH
  6. Busaba (บุษบา): Flower, a word from Thai poetry. Say boot-sah-BAH
  7. Sumalee (สุมาลี): Good flower, lovely flower; from Pali. Say soo-mah-lee
  8. Kesorn (เกสร): Pollen, the heart of a flower. Say gay-SORN
  9. Ratree (ราตรี): Night; also the night-blooming jasmine. Say rah-tree
  10. Malai (มาลัย): Garland, like the flower wreaths offered at Thai shrines
  11. Sukhon (สุคนธ์): Fragrance, sweet scent. Say soo-kon
  12. Ladda (ลัดดา): Vine, a climbing plant; from Sanskrit lata
  13. Nalin (นลิน): Lotus; from Pali and Sanskrit. Say nah-lin
  14. Waree (วารี): Water, an elegant Thai word. Say wah-ree
  15. Mayuree (มยุรี): Peahen; a graceful bird name. Say mah-yoo-ree

Thai girl names meaning moon, stars and gems

Celestial and precious names, many borrowed from Sanskrit through Thai court language.

  1. Chantra (จันทรา): Moon; from Sanskrit chandra. Say jun-trah
  2. Sasithorn (ศศิธร): The moon, in an elegant poetic word. Say sah-sih-tohn
  3. Dara (ดารา): Star; also a film star. Say dah-rah
  4. Arunee (อรุณี): Dawn, daybreak. Say ah-roo-nee
  5. Phailin (ไพลิน): Sapphire, the deep blue gem. Say pie-lin
  6. Kanchana (กาญจนา): Gold, golden. Say gahn-jah-nah
  7. Rattana (รัตนา): Gem, jewel; from Sanskrit ratna. Say rat-tah-nah
  8. Siriphon (ศิริพร): Glory and blessing; a classic Thai girl name
  9. Achara (อัจฉรา): Celestial nymph, an apsara of Hindu and Buddhist lore
  10. Phatchara (พัชรา): Diamond; from Sanskrit vajra. Say paht-chah-rah

Thai women's names meaning beauty and love

Names for beauty, charm, youth and love. They suit a formal name on a birth certificate.

  1. Anong (อนงค์): Beautiful woman. Say ah-nong
  2. Lawan (ลาวัณย์): Beauty, loveliness. Say lah-wan
  3. Lalita (ลลิตา): Charming, playful; from Sanskrit. Say lah-lih-tah
  4. Kanda (กานดา): Beloved, darling. Say gahn-dah
  5. Duangjai (ดวงใจ): Heart; a loving word for a cherished one
  6. Kwanjai (ขวัญใจ): Sweetheart, darling, everyone's favorite. Say kwan-jai
  7. Kanya (กัญญา): Young woman, maiden. Say gan-yah
  8. Sukanya (สุกัญญา): Good maiden. Say soo-gan-yah
  9. Darunee (ดรุณี): Young girl. Say dah-roo-nee
  10. Wanida (วนิดา): Woman, lady; from Sanskrit vanita
  11. Jintana (จินตนา): Imagination, creative thought. Say jin-tah-nah
  12. Nittaya (นิตยา): Always, eternal; from Sanskrit nitya
  13. Pranee (ปราณี): Living being; a gentle, elegant word

Thai boy names meaning strength and victory

Names ending in -chai (victory) and -sak (power) became typical for boys in the mid-1900s.

  1. Somchai (สมชาย): Manly, a worthy man; Thailand's most common male name, held by about 240,000 people in 2012
  2. Somsak (สมศักดิ์): Worthy of power and honor. Say som-sahk
  3. Sakchai (ศักดิ์ชัย): Power and victory. Say sahk-chai
  4. Wichai (วิชัย): Victory, triumph. Say wih-chai
  5. Wanchai (วันชัย): Day of victory. Say wahn-chai
  6. Chatchai (ฉัตรชัย): Royal parasol of victory. Say chaht-chai
  7. Narong (ณรงค์): Battle, military campaign. Say nah-rong
  8. Klahan (กล้าหาญ): Brave, courageous. Say glah-hahn
  9. Pichit (พิชิต): To conquer, to win. Say pih-chit
  10. Mongkut (มงกุฎ): Crown; also the name of King Rama IV
  11. Wichian (วิเชียร): Diamond or thunderbolt. Say wih-chee-an

Thai boy names meaning wisdom, success and light

Sun, honor, merit and eternity: names that wish a boy a bright and lucky life.

  1. Arthit (อาทิตย์): Sun; also the Thai word for Sunday. Say ah-tit
  2. Suriya (สุริยา): Sun; the Thai form of Sanskrit Surya
  3. Prasert (ประเสริฐ): Excellent, superb. Say prah-sert
  4. Prasit (ประสิทธิ์): Success, achievement. Say prah-sit
  5. Preecha (ปรีชา): Wisdom, cleverness. Say pree-chah
  6. Udom (อุดม): Supreme, abundant, the best. Say oo-dom
  7. Suchart (สุชาติ): Of good birth. Say soo-chaht
  8. Sophon (โสภณ): Beautiful, splendid. Say soh-pon
  9. Kasem (เกษม): Happiness, security; from Sanskrit kshema
  10. Chalerm (เฉลิม): To exalt, to celebrate. Say chah-lerm
  11. Anan (อนันต์): Infinite, endless. Say ah-nahn
  12. Niran (นิรันดร์): Eternal, everlasting. Say nih-ran
  13. Boonmee (บุญมี): Has merit, blessed with good karma
  14. Kamon (กมล): Lotus; also heart and mind. Say gah-mon
  15. Thaksin (ทักษิณ): South; also the right hand. Best known from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Say tahk-sin

Unisex Thai names

Thai has relatively few gender-neutral formal names. These are used for both girls and boys.

  1. Sombat (สมบัติ): Wealth, fortune. Say som-baht
  2. Somboon (สมบูรณ์): Complete, abundant, perfect. Say som-boon
  3. Somchit (สมจิต): Worthy heart, worthy mind. Say som-jit
  4. Sunan (สุนันท์): Pleasing, delightful. Say soo-nahn
  5. Wattana (วัฒนา): Development, prosperity. Say wat-tah-nah
  6. Kaew (แก้ว): Crystal, glass or gem; also spelled Kaeo
  7. Tawan (ตะวัน): Sun; literally eye of the day. Say tah-wahn
  8. Thong (ทอง): Gold; an old-style name, also common in surnames. Say tong
  9. Phet (เพชร): Diamond; used for boys and girls. Say pet
  10. Fah (ฟ้า): Sky; a short name and nickname for anyone

Thai last names

Surnames became law with the Surname Act of 1913, and each family needed its own. Many join Pali or Sanskrit words; some keep a Chinese surname, a place or a royal ancestor.

  1. Shinawatra (ชินวัตร): Adopted in 1938; its first syllable echoes the Chinese surname 丘
  2. Silpa-archa (ศิลปอาชา): Art and horse; the horse translates the family's Chinese surname Ma
  3. Limthongkul (ลิ้มทองกุล): Lim from Chinese Lin (林), plus gold and family
  4. Limjaroenrat (ลิ้มเจริญรัตน์): Lim from Chinese Lin (林), plus prosperity and gem
  5. Saechio: Sae, Chinese for family name, plus a Hainanese form of Zhou (周)
  6. Thavisin (ทวีสิน): Increasing wealth; Srettha became prime minister in 2023
  7. Kittikachorn (กิตติขจร): Far-spreading fame; Thanom was prime minister in 1958 and from 1963 to 1973
  8. Leekpai (หลีกภัย): Avoiding danger; borne by twice-prime minister Chuan
  9. Wongsawat (วงศ์สวัสดิ์): Lineage and well-being; Somchai was prime minister in 2008
  10. Vejjajiva (เวชชาชีวะ): Medical profession; granted by King Rama VI to an army doctor
  11. Tedsungnoen: Taken from Sung Noen, a district of Nakhon Ratchasima
  12. Na Ayutthaya (ณ อยุธยา): Of Ayutthaya; untitled royal descendants have added it since 1922
  13. Na Ranong (ณ ระนอง): Of Ranong; the family of a governor from Zhangzhou, China, appointed in 1854
  14. Na Chiang Mai (ณ เชียงใหม่): Of Chiang Mai; a branch of the Chet Ton rulers of Lanna
  15. Pramoj (ปราโมช): Royal surname from a son of King Rama II; prime ministers Seni and Kukrit
  16. Kitiyakara (กิติยากร): Royal surname from a son of King Rama V; Queen Sirikit's family
  17. Chakrabongse (จักรพงษ์): Royal surname from a son of King Rama V, a Russian-trained army prince
  18. Snidvongs (สนิทวงศ์): Royal surname from Prince Wongsa Dhiraj, a son of King Rama II

Thai nicknames from animals

Animal chue len are classics. Unflattering ones like dog and frog were once given so evil spirits would not covet the baby.

  1. Nok (นก): Bird; often short for Noknoi, little bird
  2. Pu (ปู): Crab; the nickname of a former prime minister. Say poo
  3. Gop (กบ): Frog; once given to keep spirits away
  4. Maeo (แมว): Cat; a sweet, common nickname. Say maew, with the a of cat
  5. Pla (ปลา): Fish; a simple, common nickname. Say plah
  6. Kung (กุ้ง): Shrimp; a popular Thai nickname. Say goong
  7. Mod (มด): Ant; a tiny name for a tiny baby
  8. Ped (เป็ด): Duck; a cute, common Thai nickname
  9. Mah (หมา): Dog; an old spirit-fooling name, now felt to be crude
  10. Ling (ลิง): Monkey; a nickname for a lively child

Thai nicknames from nature, colors and treasures

Weather, gems, colors, fruit and size words make up many everyday Thai nicknames.

  1. Fon (ฝน): Rain; a short, soft nature nickname
  2. Dao (ดาว): Star; a bright, short nickname. Say dow
  3. Ploy (พลอย): Gem, precious stone; a classic nickname for girls
  4. Mook (มุก): Pearl; a gentle nickname, mostly for girls
  5. Ngoen (เงิน): Silver; also the word for money. Say ngern
  6. Daeng (แดง): Red; an old nickname based on a baby's looks
  7. Tukta (ตุ๊กตา): Doll; a sweet nickname for a little girl. Say took-tah
  8. Bua (บัว): Lotus, a sacred flower in Thai Buddhism. Say boo-ah
  9. Chompoo (ชมพู่): Rose apple, a crisp pink fruit
  10. Som (ส้ม): Orange, the fruit and the color
  11. Lek (เล็ก): Little one; a classic name for a younger sibling
  12. Noi (น้อย): Small, little. Say noy

English-word Thai nicknames

Many Thai parents now pick English words, brands and even tech terms as nicknames.

  1. Benz: After the German car brand; a famous modern Thai nickname
  2. Porsche: Another luxury car brand chosen as a nickname
  3. Google: The search engine; listed among modern Thai nicknames
  4. Internet: Noted among modern Thai nicknames, a sign of the times
  5. Ice: English word; a short nickname for girls and boys
  6. Oil: English word; a short nickname heard in Thailand
  7. First: English word; fitting for a family's eldest child
  8. Bright: English word for clever and full of light
  9. Win: Victory, like Thai names ending in -chai
  10. Pond: From English pound, the money; written ปอนด์ in Thai
  11. Fluke: English word for a lucky chance
  12. Gulf: English word for a large bay of the sea
  13. Bow: English word, as in a ribbon tied in a loop

How to pick the right name

Give two names

Choose an elegant formal name for documents and a short chue len for daily life. The two do not need to match, and most people will know the nickname best.

Mind the endings

Endings like -chai (victory), -sak (power) and -yot traditionally mark boys' names, while -sri (glory) and -phon (blessing) mark girls' names.

Settle on one English spelling

Thai has no single romanization, so Kaew is also Kaeo and Sasithorn may be Sasitorn. Pick one spelling and use it on every document.

Ask about astrology

Many Thai families ask a monk or fortune teller to choose an auspicious name, often based on the day of birth. Check before you print anything.

Thai names: 127 ideas from Nomezo

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Thai names: why surnames are long and unique, how to spell them in English, and the nickname everyone actually uses

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

In a sample of 45,665 Thai names, 81% of family names were unique but only 35% of given names, because Thai law requires each new surname to differ from every one already registered. Given names repeat far more: Somchai was held by about 240,000 Thai men in 2012.

Most Thais also go by a short nickname, and Thai has no single English spelling, so one name can be written several ways. The finder above narrows the names by section, length or first letter, or searches the meanings.

  1. Step 1Pick a formal nameFrom flowers, gems, victory or wisdom.
  2. Step 2Check the ending-chai and -sak for boys; -phon and -sri for girls.
  3. Step 3Fix one spellingPrasert or Prasoet? Choose one.
  4. Step 4Add a chue lenThe nickname friends will really use.

Why Thai surnames are long and unique

  • Surnames since 1913. Last names became legally required with the Surname Act of 1913, and the later Person Name Act bans new surnames that duplicate an existing one and caps them at ten Thai letters, not counting vowel signs (Wikipedia).
  • Sae- names. Many Chinese-Thai families took a surname made of Sae-, from the Chinese for family name, plus their Chinese surname, so these are shared by many families; others worked the Chinese name into a longer Thai one, like Lim in Limthongkul (Wikipedia).
  • Rare in the US too. Almost no Thai surname reaches the 100 people needed to appear in the 2020 US Census list; Bunnag, with 142, is one of the few (US Census Bureau).

Spelling Thai names in English

Thai names on this page in the official system and in common use
ThaiOfficial spelling (RTGS)Common spellings
ประเสริฐPrasoetPrasert
บุญมีBunmiBoonmee
เกสรKesonKesorn
เฉลิมChaloemChalerm
สุชาติSuchatSuchart
แก้วKaeoKaew
มาลี and มะลิMali (both)Malee, Mali

The Royal Thai General System is used on road signs and in government publications, but it marks neither tones nor vowel length (Wikipedia), and most Thais choose their own English spelling.

Endings, nicknames and how Thais address each other

  • Gendered endings. Under Prime Minister Phibun, in the mid-1900s, names ending in -sak, -chai and -yot were for boys and names ending in -phon or -sri for girls (Wikipedia).
  • The nickname everyone uses. Thais are addressed politely by given name with Khun, as in Khun Somchai, but day to day by nickname. Old nicknames like Mah, dog, were meant to keep spirits from coveting the baby; modern ones include Porsche, Benz and Google (Wikipedia, Cultural Atlas).
  • Names can change. Many Thais ask a monk or fortune teller for an auspicious name, and some change their given name after a run of bad luck (Cultural Atlas).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is a Thai nickname (chue len)?

A chue len is a short nickname, usually one or two syllables, given in childhood and used in daily life, including at school and work. Many are everyday words like Nok (bird), Fon (rain) or Ploy (gem), and some are English words like Benz or Ice.

What are common Thai last names?

Most Thai surnames are rare, because the law has long required each new surname to be different from every registered one. Chinese-Thai names made of Sae-, from the Chinese for family name, plus a Chinese surname are shared by many families. Famous surnames like Shinawatra and Leekpai each belong to one family line, and Na Ayutthaya marks royal descent.

How are Thai people addressed?

Politely by given name with the title Khun, as in Khun Somchai, and day to day by nickname. Surnames are not used on their own, and Thai directories list people by given name.

What are common Thai women's names?

Classic Thai women's names include Malee (flower), Mali (jasmine), Kanya (maiden), Dara (star) and Kulap (rose). Many formal names for girls and women end in -sri, glory, or -phon, blessing.

Why do some Thai nicknames mean frog or dog?

Unflattering nicknames like Gop (frog) and Mah (dog) were once given so evil spirits would not covet the baby. Today parents also pick nicknames for luck, sound or fashion, from Ploy (gem) to Benz.

What is the most common Thai name?

Somchai, worthy man, was the most common male given name in Thailand, with about 240,000 people using it in 2012, according to the newspaper Thai Rath.

Why are Thai last names so long?

Because each new surname must be unique. Since the Surname Act of 1913, families have had to register a name no one else uses, so most are compounds of Pali or Sanskrit words, and new ones are capped at ten Thai letters.

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