Imagine meeting someone for the first time in Bangkok. They smile and say their name is “Beer.” At another office, you’re introduced to “Pancake,” “Golf,” or even “BMW.” To outsiders, it sounds like a joke. In Thailand, it’s perfectly normal.
Almost everyone has a nickname and that nickname is the name most commonly used in daily life.
Official names exist, of course, but you rarely hear them in casual conversation.
The Structure of Thai Names
Thai naming structure consists of three parts: a nickname (chue len), an official given name, and a family name. In social practice, the nickname dominates. Friends, family members, coworkers, and even supervisors typically address one another by their nicknames.
Official Thai given names are usually long, often averaging three to four syllables. Many are derived from Pali and Sanskrit, reflecting centuries of influence from Brahmanism-Hindu traditions and Buddhism.
Family names, meanwhile, are a relatively recent development, introduced under Western influence and later formalized by law. Surnames are generally inherited from the father and tend to be long and highly distinctive.
Even so, surnames are almost never used in everyday interaction. If someone is named Somchai Wangdee, people will call him “Khun Somchai,” not “Mr. Wangdee.” Using a family name feels overly formal and distant. Nicknames are preferred because they are short, easy, and convey closeness.
That’s why many people in Thailand don’t even know the full legal names of their close friends, only the names that truly live in daily conversation.
The Evolution of Thai Names
In the past, Thai people often had only a single, simple name. During the Sukhothai period (1238–1438), names could indicate birth order. For example, Ngua, meaning “five,” might be given to a fifth child. In other eras, names were drawn from physical traits—fat, small, big, or short.
By the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767), names began to reflect parents’ hopes and aspirations. Words associated with gold symbolized prosperity, while others conveyed bravery or strength.
Later, a belief emerged that giving a child two names could help ward off evil spirits. Babies were sometimes given deliberately plain, or even unattractive, names such as pig, dog, or fat, so malicious spirits would not be interested in them.
This practice is no longer followed literally, but its traces remain. Even today, Thais may compliment a baby with expressions that literally mean “ugly but adorable,” reflecting a lingering cultural caution.
Names in Thailand are believed to influence a person’s future. Many parents consult monks or astrologers, carefully calculating auspicious days before choosing an official name. While waiting for the most “fortunate” name to be decided, a nickname is often used from birth.
Creativity Shapes Modern Nicknames
In modern Thailand, creativity takes center stage. Nicknames can come from almost anything: food, drinks, animals, objects, numbers, or foreign words.
For men, common nicknames include Book, Bank, Boat, Oat, Benz, Win, and Golf. For women, you might hear Penguin, Jingjo (kangaroo), Nok (bird), Apple, Cherry, Som (orange), or Pear. Some people are simply called One, Two, Third, or Four.
Since the mid-20th century, English words have become increasingly popular. Globalization, tourism, and pop culture have introduced names like Boss, Gold, Ice, Bank, Bonus, Champ, and Benz. Often, these names are chosen because they sound modern or stylish—the literal meaning is secondary.
The most eye-catching categories are easy to spot:
- foods like Pancake, Cake, or Cream;
- drinks like Beer, Pepsi, or Soda;
- sports-related names like Golf or Ball;
- brands such as BMW or Jazz;
- and animals like Moo (pig) or Kob (frog).
Sometimes siblings are given themed nicknames, such as Coffee and Milk.
Nicknames do not have to relate to official names at all. Someone with a long, poetic legal name might simply be called Nu, meaning “mouse.” And that nickname often stays for life—used at home, at school, and even in the workplace.
To outsiders, this may sound strange or amusing. To Thais, it’s everyday identity: short, memorable, and intimate. That’s where its uniqueness lies.
