Declining since 1985, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Nam since 1975
Babies named Nam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 81 |
| 1980s | 458 |
| 1990s | 325 |
| 2000s | 250 |
| 2010s | 234 |
| 2020s | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Since first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1975, Nam has never broken into widespread use. Its peak came in 1984, when it ranked at its highest point ever at 8,910th. After that year, its popularity began a steady decline, and by 2025 it was given to fewer than 1 in 200,000 newborn boys. The name has never had any top-state concentration, suggesting it is used sporadically across the country. Despite its rarity, Nam remains a distinctive choice with straightforward spelling and pronunciation. Its Vietnamese roots give it a clear cultural identity, even as its frequency in the United States remains very low.
Nam is a given name of Vietnamese origin. In Vietnamese, the word 'nam' means 'south', but its use as a personal name may also be derived from other sources. It is a short, simple name that has been used in the United States since the mid-1970s, though it remains uncommon.
“Nam” around the world
Where Nam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Nam
Names that share Nam's style, for a brother or sister.
