Declining since 1995, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Thien since 1977
Babies named Thien per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 206 |
| 1990s | 258 |
| 2000s | 280 |
| 2010s | 208 |
| 2020s | 84 |
Meaning & origin
Thien is a rare name in the United States, first recorded in 1977. Its peak usage came in 1996, after which its popularity has steadily declined. As of 2025, the name ranks 10,695, with an approximate incidence of 1 in 284,679 boys. Thien is most commonly a romanized form of Vietnamese names like Thiện (virtuous) or Thiên (heavenly). Its trajectory has been falling since 1995, reflecting broader trends in Vietnamese-American naming patterns. The name has not been associated with any top states or famous bearers, remaining an uncommon but culturally significant choice for families of Vietnamese heritage.
Thien is most likely a simplified spelling of Vietnamese names like Thiện (meaning 'good' or 'kind') or Thiên (meaning 'sky' or 'heaven'). It may also be a romanization without diacritics. The name has been used in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora since at least the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Thien, Thiên, Thiện
Sibling names for Thien
Names that share Thien's style, for a brother or sister.
