Thai Nickname Generator
Thai play names, from Lek and Nok to Bank
Browse 500 Thai play names (chue len), the short nicknames nearly every Thai person goes by: Thai-word names with a gloss, such as Lek (small), Nok (bird), Ploy (gem) and Fah (sky; sky blue), and everyday English-loan nicknames such as Bank, Beer, Golf and Mint.
About this generator
Nearly every Thai person has a chue len, a play name given soon after birth and used by family, friends and co-workers far more than the formal given name, which is kept for documents and ceremonies. A chue len is short, usually one or two syllables, and it does not have to match the formal name at all.
More than half of the 500 here are Thai words, each with a short gloss: animals (Nok, Moo, Pla, Kung), size and birth order (Lek, Noi, Yai, Neung), colors and gems (Daeng, Chompoo, Ploy, Mook), fruit and food (Som, Tangmo, Namtan, Kanom), nature (Dao, Tawan, Fon, Nam) and flowers (Mali, Bua). Thai is tonal and the Latin alphabet hides the tone, so a gloss is given only where the word is clear, and Khao and Mai say that they can be two words. A few traditional names describe a baby's looks, such as Dam (dark) and Pui (plump), and are used fondly.
The rest are loanwords, mostly English: Bank, Beer, Golf, Ice, Mint, Boom, Benz, Film, Game, Gift. Parents choose them for the sound or for what they suggest, and they are ordinary nicknames, not endorsements of a product. Nong (younger) and Pi (older) are not nicknames. They go in front of one, as in Nong Lek or Pi Bank.
Tips for choosing a name
- Give a Thai character both names: a long formal given name for the ID card and a chue len for daily life. Friends and colleagues often know only the nickname.
- Put Pi before the nickname of someone older and Nong before someone younger, as in Pi Golf and Nong Mint. Among people of the same age the bare nickname is enough, and Khun before a nickname is polite at work.
- Match the style to the generation. Thai-word names such as Daeng, Lek, Noi and Nok fit any age and are the norm for older characters, while loanword names such as Bank, Benz, Ice and Proud are much more common among younger people.
- Nicknames are less tied to gender than formal names, but habits exist: Ploy, Fah, Mook and Mali are mostly girls, Bank, Golf, Boss and Champ mostly boys, and Lek, Noi, Ice and New go either way.
- One nickname has several spellings in Latin letters, such as Moo and Mu, Pu and Poo or Kaew and Kaeo. The list gives each nickname once, so try the other spelling when you search further.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chue len?
Chue len means play name. It is the nickname a Thai child gets soon after birth and usually keeps for life, used at home, at school and at work, while the formal name appears on documents. Lek (small), Nok (bird) and Ploy (gem) are classic examples from the list, and Bank, Beer and Golf are just as normal.
Why do Thai people have nicknames like Beer, Bank and Benz?
English words and brand names have been popular as Thai nicknames for decades, chosen for their sound, their modern feel or what they suggest. Bank suggests money, Benz a fine car, and Golf, Game and Film are simply words people like. They are everyday names in Thailand and say nothing about the product itself.
Why do some entries say the meaning depends on the tone?
Thai has five tones, and two words that differ only in tone look the same in Latin letters. Khao can be rice or white, and Mai can be new or silk. The list gives a gloss only where the word is clear and says so where two readings are common.
Does a Thai nickname come from the formal name?
Usually not. Most are chosen separately by the parents, which is why the list is organized by theme. A smaller group is cut from the formal name, and the list has some of those too, such as Nat, Korn, Pong and Pim.
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All 500 names
A: 15 names
- Ae
- Aew
- Aim
- Amp
- Amy
- Angel
- Angun (grape)
- Ann
- Aom
- Apple
- April
- Arm
- Art
- Athit (sun)
- Atom
B: 44 names
- Baibua (lotus leaf)
- Baifern (fern leaf)
- Baikhao (rice leaf)
- Baimai (leaf)
- Baimon (mulberry leaf)
- Baipo (bodhi leaf)
- Baitoei (pandan leaf)
- Baitong (banana leaf)
- Baiyok (jade leaf)
- Ball
- Bam
- Bambi
- Bamee (egg noodles)
- Banchuen (zinnia)
- Bank
- Bao (young man, in the south)
- Bas
- Base
- Beam
- Beau
- Bee
- Beer
B, continued
- Bell
- Benz
- Berry
- Best
- Big
- Bim
- Bird
- Blue
- Bonus
- Book
- Boom
- Boss
- Bow (ribbon bow)
- Boy
- Brandy
- Bright
- Bua (lotus)
- Bua Loi (rice balls in coconut milk)
- Build
- Bun (merit)
- Buppha (flower)
- Bussaba (flower)
C: 24 names
- Cake
- Candy
- Captain
- Care
- Cartoon
- Cat
- Chaba (hibiscus)
- Chaem (bright, cheerful)
- Champ
- Champagne
- Champi (white champaka)
- Chan (moon)
- Chang (elephant)
- Chat (from formal names in Chat-)
- Cherry
- Choi (graceful)
- Chok (luck)
- Chompoo (pink; rose apple)
- Chuen (cheerful)
- Coffee
- Coke
- Cookie
- Copter (from helicopter)
- Cream
D: 14 names
- Daeng (red)
- Dam (dark)
- Dao (star)
- Daorueang (marigold)
- Dear
- Dew
- Diamond
- Din (earth, soil)
- Dokmai (flower)
- Dokrak (crown flower)
- Dome
- Donut
- Dream
- Duean (moon)
E: 6 names
- Earn
- Earth
- Ek (first, prime)
- Em
- Eve
- Eye
F: 23 names
- Fah (sky; sky blue)
- Fahmai (new sky)
- Fahsai (clear sky)
- Fai (cotton)
- Fame
- Fan (dream)
- Fang (rice straw)
- Fanta
- Fern
- Fiat
- Film
- First
- Fluke
- Focus
- Foi Thong (a golden egg-thread sweet)
- Folk
- Fon (rain)
- Ford
- Frame
- Frank
- Fueangfa (bougainvillea)
- Fuji
- Fuse
G: 13 names
- Game
- Gap
- Gear
- Gift
- Gig
- Goal
- Golf
- Grace
- Grand
- Grape
- Great
- Guide
- Guitar
H: 7 names
- Happy
- Heart
- Heng (lucky, from Teochew)
- Hin (stone)
- Hom (fragrant)
- Honey
- Hong (swan)
I: 6 names
- Iat (tiny, in the south)
- Ice
- Idea
- Im (full after a meal)
- Ing (to lean on)
- Insee (eagle)
J: 23 names
- Jack
- Jaeo (bright, clear)
- Jai (heart)
- Jam
- James
- Jane
- Jay
- Jazz
- Jeep
- Jelly
- Jet
- Jiap (a chick's cheep)
- Jib
- Jim
- Job
- Joe
- Jom (summit, chief)
- Joy
- Juk (a child's topknot)
- July
- Jumjim (dainty)
- June
- Junior
K: 37 names
- Kaem (cheek)
- Kaew (crystal, glass)
- Kai (chicken)
- Kanom (sweets)
- Kanun (jackfruit)
- Kao (nine; also a step forward)
- Kate
- Khao (rice or white, depending on the tone)
- Khao Fang (sorghum, a millet-like grain)
- Khao Hom (fragrant rice)
- Khao Suai (steamed rice)
- Khaopot (corn)
- Khem (needle)
- Khiao (green)
- Khiat (little frog)
- Khing (ginger)
- Kim (gold, from Teochew)
- King
- Kip (hair clip)
- Kit (from formal names in Kit-)
- Kitty
- Kiwi
- Kla (seedling; brave)
- Kluai (banana)
- Kluaimai (orchid)
- Koi (little finger)
- Kop (frog)
- Korn (from formal names ending in -korn)
- Kradang-nga (ylang-ylang)
- Krarok (squirrel)
- Kratae (treeshrew)
- Kratai (rabbit)
- Krit (from formal names in Krit-)
- Kung (shrimp)
- Kungking (the jingle of a small bell)
- Kwan (guardian spirit)
- Kwang (deer)
L: 24 names
- La-iat (delicate)
- La-o (lovely, neat)
- La-ong (fine mist, pollen)
- Lamai (gentle)
- Lamun (mellow, gentle)
- Lek (small)
- Lemon
- Leo
- Lift
- Lilawadi (frangipani)
- Linchi (lychee)
- Ling (monkey)
- Link
- Love
- Lucky
- Luk-om (candy)
- Lukchup (a fruit-shaped sweet)
- Lukkaew (glass marble)
- Lukkai (chick)
- Lukmee (bear cub)
- Lukmoo (piglet)
- Lukpat (bead)
- Luktan (palm fruit)
- Lukwa (Java plum)
M: 42 names
- Mac
- Mafueang (star fruit)
- Mai (new or silk, depending on the tone)
- Malai (flower garland)
- Malako (papaya)
- Mali (jasmine)
- Man
- Manao (lime)
- Mango
- Maprang (marian plum)
- Mark
- Max
- May
- Mayom (star gooseberry)
- Mee (bear)
- Mek (cloud)
- Melody
- Melon
- Meow (a cat's meow)
- Mew
- Mickey
M, continued
- Mild
- Milk
- Milo
- Mind
- Minnie
- Mint
- Mix
- Mo
- Mok (mist)
- Mon (pillow)
- Money
- Moo (pig)
- Moo Ping (grilled pork skewer)
- Moo Wan (sweet pork)
- Mook (pearl)
- Mos
- Mot (ant)
- Muai (little sister, from Teochew)
- Muang (purple)
- Muek (squid; ink)
- Music
N: 49 names
- Na (rice field)
- Nam (water)
- Nam-oi (sugarcane juice)
- Nam-un (warm water)
- Namcha (tea)
- Name
- Namfon (rainwater)
- Namkhaeng (ice)
- Namkhang (dew)
- Namkhing (ginger drink)
- Nammon (blessed water)
- Nampan (fruit shake)
- Namphueng (honey)
- Namsai (clear water)
- Namsom (orange juice)
- Namtan (sugar)
- Namthip (nectar)
- Namwan (sweet drink)
- Namyen (cool water)
- Nan (from formal names in Nan-)
- Nao (cold)
- Nat (from formal names in Nat-)
- Net
- Neung (one)
N, continued
- New
- Nga (sesame)
- Ngern (silver; money)
- Ngo (rambutan)
- Nice
- Nick
- Night
- Nim (soft)
- Nine
- Ning
- Nit (a little bit)
- Noei (butter)
- Noi (little)
- Noina (custard apple)
- Nok (bird)
- Nom (milk)
- Non (from formal names in Non-)
- Nook
- Nop (from formal names in Nop-)
- Note
- Nu (mouse; little one)
- Nuan (soft and fair)
- Nui
- Num (young man)
- Nun (kapok)
O: 11 names
- Oak
- Oat (oats)
- Off
- Ohm
- Oi (sugarcane)
- Oil
- On (soft, young)
- Oom (to carry in one's arms)
- Opal
- Or (reed)
- Ovaltine
P: 61 names
- Paeng (flour, powder)
- Paint
- Palm
- Pan (to mold, to shape)
- Pancake
- Pang (bread)
- Pao
- Park
- Pat
- Peace
- Peach
- Peak
- Peanut
- Pear
- Pepsi
- Perth
- Pet (duck)
- Petch (diamond)
- Pete
- Pha (cliff)
- Phaeng (dear, precious)
- Phai (bamboo)
- Phu (mountain)
- Phueng (bee)
- Phutsa (jujube)
- Pia (braid, pigtail)
- Piak (little one)
- Piano
- Pie
- Pikul (a small fragrant flower)
P, continued
- Pilot
- Pim (from formal names in Pim-)
- Ping
- Ping Pong
- Pink
- Pizza
- Pla (fish)
- Plan
- Pleng (song)
- Ploy (gem)
- Plum
- Pok
- Pom
- Pond
- Pong (from formal names ending in -pong)
- Pooh
- Pop
- Popcorn
- Porsche
- Prae (silk cloth)
- Praew (sparkling)
- Prang (cheek)
- Prim
- Prince
- Proi (to sprinkle)
- Proud
- Pu (crab)
- Pui (plump)
- Puifai (cotton fluff; a steamed cupcake)
- Pun (lime, plaster)
- Punch
R: 6 names
- Rain
- Rak (love)
- Ray
- Rin (from formal names in Rin-)
- Ruang (ear of rice)
- Rung (rainbow)
S: 31 names
- Saeng (light)
- Sai (sand)
- Saibua (lotus stem)
- Saichai (heartstring; beloved)
- Saifa (lightning)
- Saifon (falling rain)
- Sailom (breeze)
- Saimai (cotton candy)
- Sainam (stream)
- Saithan (brook)
- Sak (from formal names ending in -sak)
- Sakura
- Samli (cotton wool)
- Sao (young woman)
- Save
- Sea
- Seven
- Smart
- Smile
- Soda
- Som (orange)
- Som-O (pomelo)
- Son (pine)
- Sprite
- Stamp
- Star
- Suai (beautiful)
- Summer
- Sun
- Sunny
- Sushi
T: 40 names
- Taeng (melon)
- Taengkwa (cucumber)
- Taew
- Tan (sugar palm)
- Tangmo (watermelon)
- Tantawan (sunflower)
- Tao (turtle)
- Taohu (tofu)
- Tar
- Tawan (sun)
- Team
- Tee (little brother, from Teochew)
- Ten
- Tennis
- Tent
- Thian (candle)
- Thip (heavenly)
- Thong (gold)
- Tia (short)
- Tik
- Time
- Title
- To (big, grown)
- Toi
- Tom
- Ton (the start; tree trunk)
- Tonhom (spring onion)
- Tonkhao (rice plant)
- Tonkla (seedling)
- Tonmai (tree)
- Tonnam (headwaters)
- Toon
- Top
- Toy
- Tua (bean)
- Tubtim (ruby; pomegranate)
- Tuk
- Tukta (doll)
- Tum (flower bud)
- Turbo
U: 2 names
- Ueang (wild orchid)
- Un (warm)
V: 1 name
- View
W: 10 names
- Waen (ring)
- Wan (sweet)
- Wao (kite)
- Wat (from formal names ending in -wat)
- Wave
- Win
- Wine
- Winter
- Wit (from formal names ending in -wit)
- Wun (jelly)
Y: 9 names
- Ya (grass)
- Yai (big)
- Yen (cool)
- Yim (smile)
- Ying (woman)
- Yo
- Yok (jade)
- Yot (top, peak)
- Yui (chubby cheeks)