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Nam
♂ Boy
Pronounced NAHM /ˈnɑm/Medium
Meaning: From the Vietnamese nam, 'south; a man/male' (a common Vietnamese boys' name)Low
In 30 seconds: South; a man: Nam is Vietnamese. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'NAHM').
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Origin LowVietnamese
MeaningFrom the Vietnamese nam, 'south; a man/male' (a common Vietnamese boys' name)
U.S. rank (2025)#9446 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,404
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
Nam comes from the Vietnamese nam, 'south; a man/male' (a common Vietnamese boys' name). A crisp, classic name (said 'NAHM').
In the U.S. it appears in Vietnamese families. Rare, south-and-a-man at the root, and crisp.
Did you know? Nam means 'south; a man/male' in Vietnamese — a common, crisp Vietnamese boys' name (said 'NAHM').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Nam — Vietnamese etymology
Variations
Nahm
Nicknames
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Nam mean?
Nam is Vietnamese for 'south; a man/male'.
How do you pronounce Nam?
It's said NAHM /ˈnɑm/ — one syllable.
Is Nam a boy or girl name?
Nam is a boy's name.
How popular is Nam?
Nam is a very rare name in the U.S.