Thao Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOW /tʰaːo/
Origin: Vietnamese
Meaning: peaceful; calm
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Thao has its roots in the Vietnamese language, where it is commonly used as a feminine given name. In Vietnamese, the name Thao (often written as Thảo) can be translated to mean 'herb' or 'grass,' symbolizing nature and vitality.
The linguistic journey of the name reflects the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam, which has been influenced by various languages and dialects over centuries, including Chinese, due to historical interactions and the long period of Chinese rule in Vietnam from the 1st century to the 10th century. The incorporation of Chinese characters into Vietnamese writing has led to the use of Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary, where Thao is associated with natural elements and is often linked to qualities of gentleness and nurturing.
Historically, the name Thao has been borne by notable figures in Vietnamese history and literature, contributing to its cultural significance. During the 20th century, Vietnam underwent significant social and political changes, and names like Thao became emblematic of a new national identity.
The name has also appeared in various Vietnamese literary works, where it is often associated with characters that embody strength, resilience, and connection to nature. This literary representation has helped to cement the name's place within Vietnamese culture.
Culturally, Thao resonates with traditional values, often reflecting familial ties and the importance of nature in Vietnamese life. The name is sometimes used in combination with other names to create meaningful phrases, such as Thao Nguyen, which can mean 'herb garden,' further emphasizing its connection to the natural world.
The enduring appeal of the name Thao is thus rooted in its linguistic origins, historical significance, and cultural associations that celebrate the beauty of nature and the virtues of gentleness.
Famous people named Thao
In this section, you will find notable people named Thao. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Thao who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Thao who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Thao Nguyen is a musician best known for her work with the band Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, and the albums We the Common and A Man Alive.
Thao Tran is a Vietnamese-American artist known for her contemporary art installations and exhibitions.
Fictional characters named Thao
The following list of fictional characters named Thao is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Thao is a fictional character from the film The Hurt Locker. She is a young Iraqi girl who becomes a symbol of innocence amidst the chaos of war.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Thao, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Thao. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Thao was first seen in the United States in 1975.
Thao has ranked as high as #2507 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Colorado.
In the past 5 years the name Thao has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Thao is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Thao was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Thao.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2010 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2009 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2008 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2007 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2004 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2003 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2002 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2001 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2000 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1999 | 34 | 5 | 29 |
| 1998 | 32 | 5 | 27 |
| 1997 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1996 | 42 | 5 | 37 |
| 1995 | 34 | 5 | 29 |
| 1994 | 54 | 9 | 45 |
| 1993 | 53 | 9 | 44 |
| 1992 | 61 | 13 | 48 |
| 1991 | 57 | 16 | 41 |
| 1990 | 62 | 11 | 51 |
| 1989 | 54 | 16 | 38 |
| 1988 | 40 | 9 | 31 |
| 1987 | 63 | 8 | 55 |
| 1986 | 54 | 9 | 45 |
| 1985 | 57 | 7 | 50 |
| 1984 | 73 | 15 | 58 |
| 1983 | 59 | 12 | 47 |
| 1982 | 48 | 13 | 35 |
| 1981 | 45 | 6 | 39 |
| 1980 | 39 | 13 | 26 |
| 1979 | 28 | 6 | 22 |
| 1978 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1977 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1976 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1975 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Thao (2007)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |