Long

♂ Boy

Pronounced LAWNG /ˈlɔŋ/High

Meaning: From Vietnamese long (Sino-Vietnamese), 'dragon' — the imperial creature; also an English surname 'tall'High

In 30 seconds: A dragon disguised as an adjective: Long is Vietnamese for the imperial dragon — Hanoi's own Thang Long, 'ascending dragon'. Scales under the surface.

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Origin HighVietnamese, Chinese

MeaningFrom Vietnamese long (Sino-Vietnamese), 'dragon' — the imperial creature; also an English surname 'tall'

U.S. rank (2025)#13152 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1988

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,908

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Long comes from Sino-Vietnamese long, 'dragon' — the imperial symbol (and an English 'tall' surname besides). Vietnamese families keep the dragon flying.

In the U.S. it appears in Vietnamese families. Rare, dragon at the root, and ascending.

Did you know? Hanoi was Thang Long — 'Ascending Dragon' — for eight centuries; a Vietnamese boy named Long carries the capital's founding beast.

Overall data confidence 82%

Vietnamese references — long — etymology

Variations

LoongLuong

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Long Nguyen (1944-)
Vietnamese-American fashion designer and Project Runway contestant

If you like Long…

Khai— a fellow Vietnamese favorite

Minh— the 'bright' companion classic

Sai— shares Long's Vietnamese roots

Tai— shares Long's Chinese roots

Tre— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Long mean?

Long is Vietnamese for 'dragon', the imperial creature.

How do you pronounce Long?

It's said LAWNG /ˈlɔŋ/ — a single syllable.

Is Long a boy or girl name?

Long is a boy's name.

How popular is Long?

Long is a rare name in the U.S., classic in Vietnam.