NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Thai

From the Thai language, a masculine name referring to a person from Thailand.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Thai is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Thai popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 16 births.

This profile covers 166 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 19% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 165 living people in the UK are called Thai. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Thai ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2002, when 16 boys were registered as Thai.
  • About 165 living people in the UK are estimated to have Thai as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 95.4% of Thai registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4789

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

2002

16 births

Estimated living

165

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Thai

In England and Wales birth records, Thai has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 95.4% of registrations are for boys and 4.6% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

95% boys
Boys166 (95.4%)Girls8 (4.6%)

Thai registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,789 in 2021
  • 3 boys registered in 2021
  • Peak: 2002 (16 births)

Thai registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,912 in 2000
  • 3 girls registered in 2000
  • Peak: 1999 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Thai mean?

The given name Thai is believed to have originated from the Thai language, which is spoken primarily in Thailand, a country located in Southeast Asia. The Thai language has its roots in the Tai-Kadai language family, which has been spoken in the region for centuries.

The name Thai is thought to be derived from the Thai word "ไทย" (Thai), which means "free" or "independent." This could be a reference to the independent spirit and resilience of the Thai people, who have successfully maintained their cultural identity and sovereignty throughout their history.

In ancient Thai literature and historical records, the name Thai appears to have been used as a designation for the Thai ethnic group and their language. It is believed that the name was initially used to differentiate the Thai people from other ethnic groups in the region.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Thai can be found in the Sukhothai inscription, a collection of stone inscriptions dating back to the 13th century CE. These inscriptions were created during the Sukhothai Kingdom, which is considered the first Thai kingdom and played a significant role in the development of Thai culture and language.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Thai. One of the most renowned figures was Thai Butr, also known as Thai Phra, who was a famous Thai poet and playwright from the 17th century CE. His works, such as the epic poem "Khun Chang Khun Phan," are regarded as masterpieces of Thai literature.

Another prominent figure with the name Thai was Thai Sawan, a renowned Thai architect and sculptor who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries CE. He was responsible for designing and constructing several famous temples and monuments in Bangkok, including the iconic Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

In the modern era, Thai Nguyen was a Vietnamese revolutionary and military leader who played a crucial role in the Vietnamese independence movement against French colonial rule in the early 20th century.

Thai Van Nguyen was a Vietnamese-American author and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of identity, displacement, and cultural heritage. She was born in 1944 and her poetry collections, such as "The Galaxie Circus" and "The Truong Hart Monologues," received critical acclaim.

Thai Jones is an American professional basketball player who was born in 1994. He currently plays in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and is known for his defensive skills and athleticism on the court.

While the name Thai has its roots in the Thai language and culture, it has also gained popularity and recognition globally, transcending its original cultural boundaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Thai over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Thai in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Thai, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0481216199620082021

Decades

Thai by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Thai was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4789 3 1
2010s #3324 44 7
2000s #1890 90 10
1990s #1623 29 4

Related

Names similar to Thai

FAQ

Thai: questions and answers

How popular is the name Thai in the UK right now?

In 2021, Thai was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Thai most popular?

The peak year on record was 2002, with 16 babies registered as Thai in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Thai?

From the Thai language, a masculine name referring to a person from Thailand.

How many people are called Thai in the UK?

A total of 166 babies have been registered as Thai across the 22 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.