In his work “I am Bê-tô”, writer Nguyen Nhat Anh expresses: "Everyone is born with a name. A name serves as a marker to distinguish one person from another. Without a name, one is anonymous. And being anonymous means leaving no trace in anyone’s memory, indistinguishable from the rest (…) As you may already know, a name may be given by parents at random, but it is your way of living that continuously refines and enriches that name over the years, allowing it to radiate its own essence.”

Nguyen Viet Nam proudly introduces his name to international friends during his journeys abroad. Photo: Provided by NVCC

A name of pride: “Is your name really Viet Nam?”

That is the question Nguyen Viet Nam (born 1993, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District) frequently encounters when going through immigration procedures at international airports. Before the Lunar New Year, Nam embarked on a 14-day journey across Iran. At Shiraz International Airport, his passport—bearing such a unique name—caught the attention of customs officers.

“In moments like these, I always have a proud response ready: “My name is Viet Nam, I am from Vietnam.” My name itself is a way to introduce my country, isn’t it?” Nam shared.

When naming their son, Nam’s parents initially considered a different name. However, upon realizing it was already used within the family, they reconsidered. After much thought, they finally decided on “Nguyen Viet Nam”.

According to his father, this was a name unlikely to be duplicated. Throughout his school years, whenever teachers called attendance, looked for someone to answer a question, or checked homework, Nam’s name always stood out. Even during job interviews, recruiters would often glance at his application with a sense of curiosity—almost as if it granted him an unintentional advantage.

At Shiraz International Airport that day, Nam was met with applause and warm smiles from the local customs officers. He recalled how some of them clapped enthusiastically upon hearing the words “Viet Nam”. In one way or another, they had learned about and recognized Vietnam—a nation with a proud history and a relentless drive for progress. For Nam, it was a moment of deep pride—not just in his name but in the shared identity of all Vietnamese people. No matter where he goes, his name remains a connection to his homeland, a constant reminder of his roots.

"My father told me that my name is not just a name—it is a source of pride, a reminder of my roots. No matter where I go or what I do, I will always carry the name of my country with me," Nam shared.

A name filled with love and meaning

Every name given by parents and grandparents carries a unique significance. It may symbolize pride, love, or even heartfelt wishes for a simple yet meaningful life.

A friend of mine recently welcomed his firstborn son. In the days leading up to the delivery, he and his wife carefully considered various names, hoping to choose the perfect one for their child. They went through a long list—Minh Long, Manh Dung, Manh Hai, Duc Dung. Wanting to be thorough, they also sought opinions from their elders. In the end, they decided on the name Manh Truong. My friend explained, “Manh represents strength and resilience, while Truong signifies endurance and stability.”

With that meaning in mind, my friend and his wife placed no expectations or pressures on their child. They simply hoped that, surrounded by the love of their parents and grandparents, their baby would grow up strong, resilient, and steadfast in life.

My younger sister’s name is Xuan Mai. It was a name my mother had cherished for a long time before finally giving it to her when she was born at a small hospital near our home 21 years ago. From the moment my sister first kicked in the womb, my mother had been thinking of many delicate, feminine names. And when her baby girl was born just before Tet, she made her final choice—Xuan Mai. There were many reasons behind it, but above all, she wished for my sister’s life to be as bright and beautiful as spring, just like the golden apricot blossoms in full bloom.

With the same heartfelt intention of sending love to their child, some parents choose names that combine both the father’s and mother’s names. Ms. Pham Le Phuong Thao (born in 2002, Son Tra District) shared that “Pham” is her father’s surname, and “Le” is her mother’s, symbolizing that no matter where she goes, her parents will always be by her side, supporting and protecting her. “Phuong” is her mother’s given name, used as her middle name to create a special bond between them, while “Thao” was chosen by her parents for their firstborn daughter, hoping she would grow up to be kind and filial. “My name is simple, with no extravagant meaning, yet it holds an abundance of love from my parents. It’s a strong and unbreakable connection that ties our family together,” Ms. Thao said.

For Ms. Le Vu Kim Tuyen (born in 2000, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District), her name carries deep meaning and family connections. "Le" is her father’s surname, while "Vu" is her mother’s, symbolizing that she is the precious bond of their sincere love. "Kim" not only matches her mother’s middle name but also aligns with her own birth element. Additionally, her great-grandfather specifically included the character "Kim," representing wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Meanwhile, "Tuyen" refers to a pure and lively stream of water. "When you put it all together, my name can be interpreted simply as a ‘stream of gold,’ symbolizing abundance and prosperity," she explained. "But on a deeper level, it embodies the hopes of my grandparents and parents—that I will always have good fortune, and that life will flow smoothly like a refreshing, crystal-clear stream."

Reporting by LAM VIEN - Translating by HONG VAN