Find out how popular the first name Nam has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nam by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Nam is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nam.

The history of the first name Nam

The name Nam is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language in ancient India. Sanskrit, one of the oldest Indo-European languages, was the literary and scholarly language used in the Indian subcontinent from around the 3rd century BCE to the 8th century CE. The name Nam is derived from the Sanskrit word "nama," which means "name" or "appellation."

In Hindu mythology and scriptures, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, the concept of "nama" (name) held significant spiritual and philosophical importance. It was believed that a name carried inherent power and could influence the personality and destiny of an individual. The name Nam, being rooted in this ancient Sanskrit word, may have been chosen for its symbolic association with identity and individuality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nam can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th or 9th century BCE. In the epic, there is a character named Nam Sahitya, who was a renowned scholar and grammarian renowned for his mastery of the Sanskrit language.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nam. For example, Nam Phuong (1215-1298 CE), a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and poet, was a prominent figure during the Tran Dynasty. His writings and teachings influenced the spread of Buddhism in Vietnam and left a lasting impact on the country's cultural and spiritual heritage.

Another famous Nam was Nam Tran (1355-1428 CE), a Vietnamese military strategist and general who played a crucial role in defending Vietnam against Chinese invasions during the Ming Dynasty. His tactical skills and leadership were instrumental in preserving Vietnam's independence and sovereignty.

In the realm of literature, Nam Cao (1917-1951 CE) was a celebrated Vietnamese writer and journalist known for his short stories and novels depicting rural life in Vietnam. His works, such as "The Peasant Destiny" and "The Grass for My Horses," are considered classics of Vietnamese literature and have been widely translated and studied.

Moving to the modern era, Nam June Paik (1932-2006 CE) was a Korean-American artist widely recognized as a pioneer of video art and multimedia installations. His innovative use of television sets and electronic media challenged traditional notions of art and paved the way for new forms of artistic expression.

Lastly, Nam Huynh (1950-1989 CE) was a Vietnamese-American playwright and actor who made significant contributions to the representation of Asian Americans in theater and film. His plays, such as "The Wonderful Insignificance of Life" and "How I Got That Story," explored themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and the immigrant experience.

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 Nam was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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