Giang is a Vietnamese name used as both a given name and a surname. It is derived from the Sino-Vietnamese element 江 (giang), meaning "river." This element is shared with the Chinese surname Jiang, which has the same origin and meaning. The name thus evokes the flow and strength of a river, and is often chosen for its natural imagery and auspicious connotations of abundance and persistence. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the surname Giang include Chau Giang (born 1955), a Vietnamese-born American poker player who has won multiple World Series of Poker bracelets; Cô Giang (1906–1930), a Vietnamese revolutionary who fought for independence from French colonial rule; and Trịnh Giang (1711–1762), a ruler of the Trịnh lord line who governed northern Vietnam. In sports, Emil Le Giang (born 1991) and Patrik Le Giang (born 1992) are Slovak football players of Vietnamese origin, while Trần Trường Giang (born 1976) and Nguyen Thanh Long Giang (born 1988) are Vietnamese footballers. In the arts, Trà Giang is a celebrated Vietnamese actress, and Vũ Giáng Hương (1930–2011) was a renowned painter. The name also appears among beauty queens, such as Trần Thị Hương Giang (born 1987), a Vietnamese model and titleholder. Usage and Cultural Context Giang is commonly given to girls but can be unisex. In Vietnamese naming tradition, the given name often carries poetic or natural themes, and giang (river) fits this pattern. The name also appears in compound forms such as Hương Giang (hương meaning "fragrance") and Thủy Giang (thủy meaning "water"). Meaning: "River" (from Sino-Vietnamese 江) Origin: Vietnamese Type: Given name and surname Usage Regions: Vietnam