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Nov 28, 2023 | Thai Translation

Beyond Words: The Intriguing Stories Behind 8 Thai Names

Parents expect that kids will create their own unique identity. They wish that their children would be well-known by their Thai surnames. So, parents often take a long time to decide their children’s names.

Some parents even go through an online combing operation to investigate the most suitable names for their newborns. They also keep in mind the meaning of the name, as they think that the significance may induce that positive quality in their kid’s soul and character, too. Thai people are no different. 

You can find the perfect Thai word that reflects your personality or brand identity. No more confusion or frustration – let’s make finding the right Thai name an enjoyable and stress-free experience!

Thai Names Based On Fortune

Thai Names Based On Fortune

Generally, Thai individuals accepted that specific letters, numbers, and words were fortunate or unfortunate. Guardians talked with psychics and crystal gazers to guarantee they picked an auspicious name for the time and date of their youngster’s introduction to the world. The outcome was the formation of long and complex first names that were considered profoundly good; however, they are too massive to even think about using in regular day-to-day existence.

The Beauty of Thai Names: Symbols, Nicknames, and Cultural Traditions

  • Names are based on their physical appearance and behaviour.
  • People of Thai origin get the name’s inspiration from a particular animal, fruit, or flower.
  • People have westernised some Thai nicknames to avoid confusion in English-speaking contexts. The reason is to ensure everything is transparent in English-speaking contexts. It is also for those who are unfamiliar with the Thai language.
  • According to traditional beliefs, these nicknames protect children against jealous spirits.

So, don’t be surprised if you meet a Thai person with a quirky nickname like “Nok” (bird) or “Bank” (symbolising wealth)!

Interesting Facts On The Law Of Thai Surnames

Interesting fact on law of thai surnames

Did you know Thai law prohibits people from having the same surname as another family? As a result, Thai citizens must come up with unique and complex surnames to comply with this law. Some Thai family names can be incredibly long and challenging to pronounce, like “SONJOHNKOKSOONG.” It’s an interesting quirk of the Thai legal system that adds a unique aspect to Thai culture and identity.

So, if you ever struggle to pronounce a Thai surname, remember that it might be intentionally complex to keep it distinct from other families!

Thai Culture in names

Thai Culture in names

Numerous Thai individuals additionally accepted that insidious spirits could hurt kids. Utilising a youngster’s name was thought to draw the attention of these spirits and put kids in danger. Rather than utilising an extensive first name, guardians give kids a basic, a couple-of-syllable epithet during childbirth. Thai epithets filled a double need. Straightforward names are simpler for regular use. Also, monikers befuddle pernicious spirits and secure youngsters.

Facts On Thai Monikers

Facts On Thai Monikers

Thai monikers usually don’t have any phonetic association with the given first name. Instead, they might be identified with the physical qualities of the kid, the name of a creature, got from an unfamiliar name, or only a made-up syllable. For instance, a Thai lady named Thanyamas can have the moniker Nu, signifying “mouse.” She would utilise the name Nu for her duration, both socially and publicly, in everything except the most formal official records.

Chinese Surnames In Thai

Chinese Surnames In Thai

Thai surnames are exciting and often reveal something about a person’s ancestry or background. Derivation of Thai surnames was from

  • ancestors’ names
  • places of residence or
  • Professions

It results in unique and distinctive surnames like “Tedsungnoen.” Additionally, due to the significant population of Thais of Chinese descent in Thailand, it’s common to see Chinese surnames incorporated into Thai surnames.

For example, the former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa’s surname was “archa”. Do you know the meaning of it?

It means “horse” in Thai and is a nod to the typical Chinese surname “Ma,” which also means “horse.”

Another fascinating aspect of Thai culture is that women adopt their husband’s surnames after marriage. It is pretty similar to Western traditions. Overall, Thai surnames are a unique aspect of Thai identity that reflects their rich history and cultural diversity.

Thai Nicknames Distinguish Gender

After listening to some Thailand-based names, it is difficult to guess which one is the male name or female, much similar to when we say “Thank You” in Thai. 

For example, the name “Jotuporn” suggests four blessings. Both males and females can be named ‘Jatuporn.’ However, many years ago, you could determine a person’s gender by name. Some names have both Indonesian and Thai forms.

For example- Abdulah. Here, the Thai form is Abd Allah Abdulrahman. The exact name of the Indonesian form is Abd-Al-Rahman.

Male And Female Thai Names With Example

Male and female thai names with example

For example, the name ‘Somchai’ suggests the male gender as ‘chai’ means ‘male.’ On the other hand, the word ‘Mali’ can be referred to as a female, as ‘Mali’ suggests a flower. Somchai is a male name, and probably more than 240k people are already using it.

Somsak is a male name. One can determine it as a common name. Somsak, as the name of a boy, is familiar. It is like ‘John’ in English. One can shorten the word by reducing the syllables from their three or more syllable names. We tend to pick up the last or first syllables from the long names while summoning the person. A person named ‘Kullawat’ can be remembered by the nickname ‘Kul’.

Thai Family Names With Current Idea

Thai family names with current idea

While first names and epithets have a long history, Thai family names are considerably more current. In 1913, the Thai Nationality Act (otherwise called the Surname Act) was passed, requiring every residing inhabitant of Thailand to have family names just because the law said so. Since last names were unique under the firm gaze of this law, numerous families essentially made up a name. Justifiably, they chose words with implications that would reflect richly on the family.

The Thai Nationality Act likewise necessitated that every last name be unique. Families enlisted their picked previous name with the administration yet needed to modify it if the name they needed was already in the library. For instance, if “Jaturapattara” is now used, a family may pick something comparable to “Jaturapattarapong.”

Thai family names and Chinese populance

Thai family names and Chinese populance

An enlisted Thai family name was likewise expected of the vast Chinese populace living in Thailand in the mid-twentieth century. At first, many decided to utilise their Chinese last name prefixed by the neologism of the word sae, Thai for “family name.” However, the necessity that every family have an exotic name implied that any Chinese family with a familiar name would need to include extra segments, prompting progressively long names. Many of the longest names of Thai residents today have a place with individuals of Chinese-Thai lineage.

Some duplication of Thai family names exists since the state capacity was not large enough when the library was made. In any case, Thai names are still considerably more one-of-a-kind than names in most different tongues. If two Thai individuals share a last word, they are likely indirectly related.

Today, new Thai residents, despite everything, must enrol an extraordinary last name, yet they can never again be so long. In 1962, the Person Name Act was passed, restricting the length of new Thailand-based names. To enlist another name, it might have at most ten Thai letters, barring vowel markers and diacritics. However, any state-given titles and family names may surpass the ten-character limit.

In the meanwhile, explore interesting German Boy Names.

Check Out This Video On 8 Common Thailand-based names

Thai-Sanskrit And Thai-Pali Influence In Thai Names-

Thai-Sanskrit And Thai-Pali Influence In Thai Names

Recently, the name of the Thai person has been given according to Thai-Sanskrit or Thai-Pali by their family or parents. Most Thai people’s names consist of compound words and usually carry meaning in each word. For instance, the above name, “kullawat”, comes from ‘kul’ and ‘wat’ and has ‘a’ as a glue in the middle. Respectively, the words ‘kul’ and ‘wat’ suggest ‘family’ and ‘leader’. Hence, ‘Kullawat’ means ’a leader of the family’. Also, the Sun’s name is adopted in Thai culture. It is mainly derived from the Hindu god.

With proper interpreting services in Australia, one can explain the meaning quickly.

Before, various words were used to address people. Nai or Ay were used before a man’s given name. Am daeng or Ii were used before a lady’s given name. A man named Somchai was tended to as Nai Somchai or Ay Somchai. A lady whose name was Somsri was referred to as Am daeng Somsri or Ii Somsri. There was no law concerning this issue. It was only a custom.

East Asian rulers frequently embraced regal names after raising the seat, as was done in Thailand until today. Also, subjects of a ruler might be granted both a title and a name, for example, on account of Sing (or Singh) Sinhaseni, who was awarded the title of Chao Phraya and the name of Bodindecha.

As neither respectable titles nor names are fundamentally engaging, it is standard to list the most noteworthy titles and granted names first, trailed by previous names and titles (and individual and family names in brackets) varying.

Relatives of honorability, innate and non-genetic, mainly take the respectable name of their precursor for a last name. For example, Hugo Chakrabongse is a relative of Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath. A few (far expelled) relatives of sovereignty include the relational and respectability particle “na” to geological names to make last names, similarly to how individuals from German honourable families use von.

The List Of The Most Common Thai Names And Meaning:

The List Of The Most Common Thai Names And Meaning

1. Paithoon

It is a typical Thai name that has a twist in its meaning. This name identically suggests a deadly snake. Though surprising, the name refers to a person with impressive eyesight. So, this name can roughly refer to the ‘cat’s eye.’ The name Paithoon fits the person who has a keen observation.

However, this name also carries different meanings depending on your region. Regardless of the region, the name is prescribed for someone with innate talent and observation power. This is one of the rare unisex names in Thai. So, you can suggest the titles for both males and females.

2. Malee

Parents go through different approaches while deciding on a proper name for their baby. Sometimes, they take time to find a name for their baby. Often, they decide on a name for their offspring even before conceiving. Some parents also give a name to their baby when they hear the baby’s first cry. Malee is one of the purest Thailand-based names. Parents who share a proper name with the baby after seeing their innocent faces and listening to the first cry would probably give the most valid name. Malee is a female name. The Thai English translation of Malee is ‘flower’. Though it is a straightforward and fantastic name, it reflects the beauty of the innocent newborn and is preferred to three-syllable girl names.

3. Arthit

During the 1990s, Thailand has gone through a resurgence in traditions and local culture. Besides the solid national identity, music, dance, local food, beliefs, and celebrations play a significant role in Thai life. Moreover, Thailand is the home of fantastic fables, culture, and religion.

Once, a male deity named ‘Surya’ was omnipresent in Thailand. He used to hold two lotus buds, recalling the Sun’s power. Many myths are heard related to the Sun God’s son. The name ‘Arthit’ signifies that the baby is a gift from the Sun God. Besides, another meaning of this name for a Thai boy is persistence, hard work, and strength.

4. Somchai

This is another common Thai name that has an impactful meaning. Though this is a simple name, it carries royalty with the meaning. In English, it translates to ‘king.’ Many decades ago, there was a taboo that only royal families and people from high social rankings could use this name without any problem. Then, if you give your child the name ‘Chakrii’ belonging to a low-income family, society will mock you.

But now, the scenario has changed, and Thailand has gotten over the stigma. Society now gives more freedom to family members to decide the Thai surnames of their choice. One can translate this name to ‘King.’ But from a broader perspective, the meaning stated, ‘A man who will become a king one day.’ As the meaning suggests, it is a masculine name. Though this a clichéd name, all parents desire their son to be called in epic Thai boy names like it.

5. Chakrii

Chakri is a Thai name with historical and cultural significance. It is most commonly associated with the Chakri Dynasty, Thailand’s ruling royal house. The Chakri Dynasty was founded in 1782 by King Rama I. The Chakri Dynasty is the current reigning monarchy in Thailand.

“Chakri” refers to the dynasty itself and holds profound historical importance. The name “Chakri” symbolises the dynasty’s establishment and continuity. It reflects a sense of stability, tradition, and leadership associated with the Thai monarchy.

Naming a person “Chakri” might signify a connection to Thailand’s rich cultural heritage or a family’s respect for the country’s royal traditions.

6. Preeda

All parents long for their children’s happiness. The name ‘Preeda’ is usually given to a female child to be joyous in the future. Parents love their babies laughing and giggling at them. Some people may suggest this name to Thai babies, seeing them smiling innocently. Again, this name indicates the simplicity of a child’s nature.

7. Duangkamol

A thing that comes from the heart is the most precious. Technically, it is a unisex name. Whether it is singing, dancing, making gifts, or having a simple conversation, the gestures that come from the core of the heart are worth more than a million-dollar. It is more authentic and less artificial. This is what the name ‘Duangkamol’ suggests. This unisex Thai surname means ‘from the heart’.

8. Anong

It is a typical Thai feminine name with a clear and straightforward meaning. ‘Anong’ is derived from the Thai word ‘gorgeous.’ Countless females cherish having this name, and sure enough, they want to be gorgeous. However, a pretty girl must wish her name to justify her beauty. When called ‘Anong,’ they are always prompted to nourish their beauty and care for their health. It is to be noted that many people do not know the meaning. Still, the purpose of the name has a specific effect on the owners. It is probably considered one of the most famous and widespread Thai female names, if not the most famous.

To conclude, countless names may fit the identity of your son or daughter. Finding the appropriate one is a challenging task. A name is not only a mere word we call a person. Thailand-based names and meanings are a symbol and a reminder of their character, views, thoughts, and values to their parents and dear ones. If you want to understand it more, please check out our language translation page!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Thai names so long?

People from Thailand prefer unique names, which no one takes. So, to make a name unique, they add more words to it, and this way, their names become lengthy. Also, in some cases, they use long names for their personal and cultural superstitions.

Are Thai names unique?

Yes, they are unique compared to names in other countries. It is because Thai law prevents duplicating surnames of another family. So they need to create unique names, and sometimes their names become very long to be amazing. 

Why do Thai people have multiple names?

Most Thai people have at least two names – their official name and nickname. Their parents instantly give their nicknames after birth, and the official name gets registered much after that.

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