Find out how popular the first name Chea has been for the last 28 years (from 1977 to 2004) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chea by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Chea is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 82% of people named Chea being female.

For the most recent data in 2004, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Chea.

The history of the first name Chea

The name Chea originates from the Khmer language, which is the official language of Cambodia. It is believed to have derived from the old Khmer word "chea," which means "victory" or "success." This name has been in use within the Cambodian culture for centuries.

In ancient Khmer literature and inscriptions dating back to the 7th century, there are references to people bearing the name Chea. Some scholars believe that this name was particularly popular among the ruling class and nobility during the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Chea can be found in the Khmer inscriptions from the Angkor Wat temple complex, which was built in the early 12th century. These inscriptions mention a high-ranking official named Chea Khiev, who served under King Suryavarman II, the ruler who commissioned the construction of Angkor Wat.

Throughout Cambodian history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Chea. One such figure was Chea Vat, a revered Buddhist monk who lived in the 16th century and was known for his teachings and contributions to Khmer literature.

Another famous Chea was Chea Sim, a prominent Cambodian politician and activist who played a significant role in the struggle for independence from French colonial rule in the mid-20th century. He was born in 1905 and was a co-founder of the Democratic Party, which later became the Cambodian People's Party.

In the realm of arts and culture, Chea Sarin was a celebrated Cambodian painter and sculptor who lived from 1925 to 2015. He is renowned for his depictions of traditional Khmer life and for reviving the art of lacquer painting in Cambodia after the devastating Khmer Rouge regime.

Another notable figure was Chea Vichea, a prominent Cambodian labor activist who fought for workers' rights and was assassinated in 2004. His death sparked widespread protests and calls for justice, highlighting the ongoing struggles for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.

While the name Chea has its roots in Khmer culture, it has also been adopted by people of Cambodian descent living in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia, where there are significant Cambodian diaspora communities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chea, please contact us.

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