Nam Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nam has Vietnamese origins, meaning 'south' or 'man.' It has evolved from historical forms in Old Vietnamese to its current usage. The name is often associated with masculine traits and has gained popularity in the 20th century. There is no biblical relevance, and it is perceived positively in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nam"
Pronunciation
/næm/
Origin
Vietnamese
Etymology
The name Nam is derived from the Vietnamese word for 'south' or 'man.' It often signifies a person's connection to the southern region of Vietnam or masculinity.
Meaning
south, man
Language Evolution
Nam (Vietnamese), Nam (Old Vietnamese)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Vietnam during the 20th century, particularly as a common name for boys.
Variants & Derivatives
N/A
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nam is perceived as a traditional and culturally significant name in Vietnam, often associated with strength and masculinity.
Famous People
Nam Cao, a notable Vietnamese writer, Nam Phuong, the last Empress of Vietnam
📊 Nam Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Nam Name Visualizations
✨ Nam Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 58 peak births in 1984
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nam"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Nam"
"Nam" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3756th of 10718 | 121 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1765th of 16616 | 669 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3700th of 24088 | 402 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5389th of 23106 | 204 |
Regional Popularity of "Nam" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
41.02% 1659th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
59.17% 2648th/4475 |
32.15% 1670th/5194 |
17.43% 1101st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
43.48% 3180th/7313 |
27.17% 2028th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
62.05% 4233rd/6822 |
54.99% 3451st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Nam" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nam"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nam" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Nam" in the United States
The name Nam is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Nam has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Nam' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3756th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1765th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3700th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5389th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Nam' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.