Tên đệm
Tên đệm / Tên lót
The Vietnamese middle name, positioned between the surname and given name, which can indicate gender, generational lineage, or add poetic meaning to the full name.
The tên đệm (also called tên lót) occupies the middle position in the Vietnamese three-part name structure: họ (surname) + tên đệm (middle name) + tên (given name). While sometimes dismissed as merely ornamental, the middle name serves several important functions in Vietnamese naming culture.
Functions of the Middle Name
Historically, the most common function of the tên đệm was gender identification: Văn for males and Thị for females. While this convention remains widespread, modern Vietnamese families increasingly choose middle names for their meaning rather than strictly for gender marking. Some families use a shared middle name across all siblings of the same generation, creating a generational marker. Others select middle names that complement the given name to form a compound meaning — for example, Minh Anh (bright and peaceful) or Thanh Tùng (elegant pine).
Modern Trends
Contemporary Vietnamese naming practices show a shift away from the traditional Văn/Thị convention. Many parents now prefer middle names that are gender-neutral or that create a beautiful two-syllable compound with the given name. Some families omit the middle name entirely, particularly in southern Vietnam, resulting in a two-part name. In legal documents and formal contexts, the full three-part name including tên đệm is always used.