Pao

♂ Boy

Pronounced POW /ˈpaʊ/Medium

Meaning: Pao is a Hmong given name for boys, familiar in the Hmong-American community that resettled in the United States after the wars in Southeast Asia; the general Vang Pao, a prominent Hmong military and community leader, made the name widely recognized. Precise dictionary meanings vary by clan and spelling, so it is best treated as a genuine Hmong name with an honored community association.Low

In 30 seconds: Pao is a Hmong boy's name, well known in the Hmong-American community and linked to the leader Vang Pao. It arrived with post-war refugee families (said 'POW').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumHmong

MeaningPao is a Hmong given name for boys, familiar in the Hmong-American community that resettled in the United States after the wars in Southeast Asia; the general Vang Pao, a prominent Hmong military and community leader, made the name widely recognized. Precise dictionary meanings vary by clan and spelling, so it is best treated as a genuine Hmong name with an honored community association.

U.S. rank (1999)#8477 ↗ Rising

1999 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 301

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

Pao is a Hmong given name for boys, brought to America by Hmong refugee families after the Southeast-Asian wars. It is strongly associated with the leader Vang Pao.

It appears from about 1979 and peaks faintly near 1991, with use mostly ending by the late nineties. It stayed rare nationally, concentrated in Hmong-American communities.

Did you know? The name Pao is closely tied to General Vang Pao, a revered leader of the Hmong people, which gave it real standing within Hmong-American communities.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Pao — Hmong boy's name; associated with Vang Pao; post-war refugees

Variations

PauPowPhaoPa

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Pao…

Tou— a Hmong given name close in setting

Kou— a Hmong boy's name of the same era

Yeng— a Hmong name from the same immigrant wave

Kao— echoes that soft -o sound

Pheng— a fellow Hmong choice

Explore names like Pao

By themerare hmong immigrant

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Pao mean?

Pao is a Hmong boy's name; its exact meaning varies by clan, but it is closely tied to the leader Vang Pao.

How do you pronounce Pao?

It's said POW /ˈpaʊ/ - one syllable.

Is Pao a boy or girl name?

Here Pao is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Pao?

Pao has always been rare in the United States, concentrated in Hmong-American communities.