UK name, mostly boys
Thanh
A Vietnamese name meaning green, fresh, or young.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.
Thanh is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Thanh popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 8 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2011. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Thanh. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Thanh ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 8 boys were registered as Thanh.
- • Thanh is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Thanh as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 73.9% of Thanh registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
8 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Thanh
In England and Wales birth records, Thanh has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 73.9% of registrations are for boys and 26.1% 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.
Thanh registered for boys
- Ranked #4,647 in 2011
- 3 boys registered in 2011
- Peak: 2006 (8 births)
Thanh registered for girls
- Ranked #5,691 in 2014
- 3 girls registered in 2014
- Peak: 1997 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Thanh mean?
The name Thanh originates from the Vietnamese language, where it means "pure" or "holy." Its roots can be traced back to ancient Vietnamese culture and traditions, with the name carrying significant cultural and spiritual significance.
In Vietnamese, the word "thanh" is often associated with purity, innocence, and virtuous qualities. It was commonly given to children with the hope that they would embody these positive traits throughout their lives.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Thanh can be found in ancient Vietnamese literature and historical records dating back to the early centuries of the common era. It was a popular name among royalty and nobility, as well as among Buddhist monks and scholars.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name Thanh was Thanh Tong, a Vietnamese emperor who ruled from 1460 to 1497. He was known for his efforts to promote education and maintain peace within his kingdom.
Another notable figure in Vietnamese history was Thanh Hien, a renowned poet and scholar who lived during the 18th century. His works are still studied and revered in Vietnam today.
In the realm of Buddhism, Thanh Tri was a highly respected Vietnamese monk and teacher who lived in the 17th century. He was renowned for his wisdom and his dedication to spreading the teachings of Buddhism throughout Vietnam.
Moving into more recent times, Thanh Nguyen was a prominent Vietnamese artist and painter who lived from 1926 to 2009. His works captured the beauty and essence of Vietnamese culture, earning him widespread recognition both within Vietnam and internationally.
Finally, Thanh Lam is a celebrated Vietnamese singer and songwriter who has been active since the 1980s. Known for her powerful vocals and her ability to blend traditional Vietnamese music with contemporary styles, she has gained a dedicated following both in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Thanh, a name that has endured for centuries and continues to hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning within the Vietnamese tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Thanh over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Thanh in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Thanh, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Thanh by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Thanh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3307 | 11 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Thanh
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Thanh: questions and answers
How popular is the name Thanh in the UK right now?
In 2011, Thanh was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Thanh most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 8 babies registered as Thanh in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Thanh?
A Vietnamese name meaning green, fresh, or young.
How many people are called Thanh in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Thanh across the 4 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.