How to Read Vietnamese Gravestones:

When shown traditionally on a tombstone, Vietnamese names follow a format of:
["ceremonial name"] + [family name] + [middle name] + [given name]

Ceremonial name: if Buddhist, this is a Dharma name and if Catholic, it is a saint's name. Ex. Giuse = Joseph, Maria = Mary, Phero = Peter. These names are only used for religious purposes or prayers after death. Ceremonial name is not always listed on tombstone or may be listed above or separate from the rest of the name. Buddhist Dharma names frequently appear after the words "Phap Danh."

Family name: Much of the time, it can be easy to identify the last name. The top 10 family names account for 85% of all Vietnamese people: Nguyen (39%), Tran (11%), Le (10%), Pham (7%), Huynh, Phan, Vo/Vu, Dang, Bui, and Do. Women retain their own family (maiden) name after marriage.

Middle name: Among older generations, women's middle names were almost always Thi. Men often had the middle Van and if not, it was Cong, Duc, Huu, Quang, or Thanh. In more recent times, this has changed to include many more options.

Given name: Occasionally, women may have a compound given name. If it is clear that there are three names following the family name, this is most likely the case. For example, in the name Nguyen Thi Kim Phuc, "Kim Phuc" is the given name.

Honorifics: Sometimes, Vietnamese tombstones include honorifics preceding the name. For men, this is "Ong" or "Cu Ong" and for women, this is "Ba" or "Cu Ba." These are not part of the name.

How to Read Vietnamese Gravestones:

When shown traditionally on a tombstone, Vietnamese names follow a format of:
["ceremonial name"] + [family name] + [middle name] + [given name]

Ceremonial name: if Buddhist, this is a Dharma name and if Catholic, it is a saint's name. Ex. Giuse = Joseph, Maria = Mary, Phero = Peter. These names are only used for religious purposes or prayers after death. Ceremonial name is not always listed on tombstone or may be listed above or separate from the rest of the name. Buddhist Dharma names frequently appear after the words "Phap Danh."

Family name: Much of the time, it can be easy to identify the last name. The top 10 family names account for 85% of all Vietnamese people: Nguyen (39%), Tran (11%), Le (10%), Pham (7%), Huynh, Phan, Vo/Vu, Dang, Bui, and Do. Women retain their own family (maiden) name after marriage.

Middle name: Among older generations, women's middle names were almost always Thi. Men often had the middle Van and if not, it was Cong, Duc, Huu, Quang, or Thanh. In more recent times, this has changed to include many more options.

Given name: Occasionally, women may have a compound given name. If it is clear that there are three names following the family name, this is most likely the case. For example, in the name Nguyen Thi Kim Phuc, "Kim Phuc" is the given name.

Honorifics: Sometimes, Vietnamese tombstones include honorifics preceding the name. For men, this is "Ong" or "Cu Ong" and for women, this is "Ba" or "Cu Ba." These are not part of the name.