MallowbyNames

Khoa

KWOH-ah · Meaning uncertain, possibly derived from a Vietnamese word for 'curriculum' or 'examination' but not clearly established.

2025 rank (boys)
#4,396
Babies named in 2025
23
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 74,264 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 2015

Rising since 2015, #4,396 for boys today.

Popularity of Khoa since 1976

Babies named Khoa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1985, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Khoa's real moment was 2023.

101929198020002020Most births 1985Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1970s24
1980s182
1990s203
2000s169
2010s127
2020s112

Meaning & origin

Khoa is a distinctive Vietnamese name that entered U.S. records in 1976 and has seen increasing use in recent decades, particularly in Texas. The name is uncommon, ranking 4,396th in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 74,264 births. Its strongest period of growth began around 2015, and it peaked in popularity in 2023, suggesting a steady upward trend among Vietnamese American families and others seeking short, impactful names. While its meaning remains elusive, its modern adoption underscores a pattern of cross-cultural name exchange.

Khoa is a Vietnamese given name, typically masculine. Its etymology is unclear; it may be related to the Vietnamese word 'khoa' meaning 'subject' or 'course of study' as in academic disciplines. It has been used as a given name in Vietnam and among Vietnamese diaspora communities, gaining modest visibility in the United States since the late 20th century.

Where Khoa is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Sibling names for Khoa

Names that share Khoa's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Mai, Anh, Linh, Hoa, Thu, Trang, Vy

Brothers: Duc, Huy, Minh, Quan, Tuan, Le, Loan, Tien

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Khoa, our favorite little boy.

K is for Khoa…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Khoa's letter becomes Khoa's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Khoa's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Khoa mean?
The meaning of Khoa is uncertain. It may derive from a Vietnamese word related to 'curriculum' or 'examination', but no single established meaning exists.
How popular is the name Khoa?
As of 2025, Khoa ranks 4,396th in the United States, with an estimated 1 in 74,264 babies given the name. Its popularity has been rising since at least 2015.
Is Khoa a boy's name?
Khoa is almost exclusively used as a boy's name in its Vietnamese origin and in the U.S. Social Security data.