Thi

Thi is a Vietnamese female given name, as well as a common surname in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora. As a given name, it originates from Sino-Vietnamese 詩 (thi), meaning "poetry, poem, verse." This reflects the cultural value placed on literary arts and the poetic tradition in Vietnamese society, where names often carry aspirational or aesthetic meanings.

Distribution and Usage

As a surname, Thi is found among Vietnamese communities worldwide. According to the 2010 United States Census, Thi ranked as the 24,446th most common surname in the United States, with over 1,000 bearers, the vast majority (over 91%) identifying as Asian or Pacific Islander. The name is also used as a middle name in Vietnamese naming conventions, though as a given name it is distinctly feminine.

Related Names

A related Japanese reading is Uta, which also carries the meaning of "poem" or "song," demonstrating a cross-cultural connection through shared Sino-Japanese vocabulary.

Key Facts

• Meaning: "Poetry, poem, verse"
• Origin: Sino-Vietnamese
• Type: Given name (feminine) and surname
• Usage regions: Vietnam and Vietnamese diaspora