Nguyen
The origin of the surname Nguyen
Nguyễn, borne by roughly two-fifths of Vietnamese people, derives from the Chinese character 阮.
How Vietnamese surnames work
Vietnamese names place the family name first, and a remarkably small set of surnames covers most of the population — Nguyễn alone is borne by roughly two-fifths of all Vietnamese, with Trần and Lê also very widespread, all tied to former ruling dynasties. Because so many people share so few surnames, the given name (which comes last) is the primary way individuals are identified and addressed, and a middle name traditionally added further distinction. Vietnamese surnames are usually written as single syllables.
Variants & spellings
- Nguyễn
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Nguyen mean?
The surname Nguyen means An ancient clan name (阮). Nguyễn, borne by roughly two-fifths of Vietnamese people, derives from the Chinese character 阮.
Where does the surname Nguyen come from?
Nguyen is a surname of Vietnamese origin.
What kind of surname is Nguyen?
Nguyen is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Nguyen in the United States?
Nguyen is the 57th most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 310,125 people.