Thao

♂ Boy

Pronounced TOW /ˈtaʊ/Medium

Meaning: A Vietnamese name, by route 'respectful; filial; devoted to one's parents,' and separately a word for a fragrant herb or plant. Gentle and honorable; routes layered.Low

In 30 seconds: A gentle Vietnamese name: Thao means 'respectful; filial' (said 'TOW'). Honorable and soft.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowVietnamese

MeaningA Vietnamese name, by route 'respectful; filial; devoted to one's parents,' and separately a word for a fragrant herb or plant. Gentle and honorable; routes layered.

U.S. rank (1999)#11441 ↘ Falling

1999 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 192

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

Thao is a Vietnamese name, 'respectful; filial,' with a plant-word route as well. The routes are layered, which we note — gentle and rare in the U.S. (said 'TOW').

It appears only rarely in the U.S., mostly in Vietnamese families. Rare, gentle, and honorable.

Did you know? Thao is a Vietnamese name meaning 'respectful; filial; devoted to one's parents,' and separately a word for a fragrant herb — routes layered, which we note (said 'TOW').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Thao — Vietnamese; 'respectful, filial' / a herb

Variations

ThảoThaopTao

Nicknames

ThaAo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Thao…

Minh— a like Vietnamese boy's name

Khoa— a like Vietnamese pick

Tai— another Vietnamese name

Tre— shares Thao's Vietnamese roots

Thang— shares Thao's Vietnamese roots

Explore names like Thao

By themevirtue one-syllable gentle vietnamese

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Thao mean?

Thao is Vietnamese for 'respectful; filial,' and is also a word for a fragrant herb. The routes are layered, which we note.

How do you pronounce Thao?

It's said TOW /ˈtaʊ/ — one syllable, stress on the last.

Is Thao a boy or girl name?

Thao is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Thao?

Thao is a rare name in the U.S.