Tra
A Vietnamese unisex name derived from the word trang meaning "moon".
Name Census estimates that about 242 living Americans carry the first name Tra. It is a predominantly male name (97.2% of registrations). The average person named Tra today is around 30 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tra births was 1992 (34 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tra. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
242
~ 1 in 1,416,340 Americans
Peak year
1992
34 babies that year
Average age
30
years old
2007 SSA rank
#8,963
Tracked since 1983
Gender
Gender distribution for Tra
Tra leans heavily male at 97.2% of total registrations, but 7 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Tra as a male name
- Ranked #12,220 in 2007
- 6 male births in 2007
- Peak: 1992 (34 births)
Tra as a female name
- Ranked #8,963 in 1983
- 7 female births in 1983
- Peak: 1983 (7 births)
Popularity
Tra: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tra from the 1980s through to the 2000s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 159 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1990s peak, Tra remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tra by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Tra during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tras live
Origin
Meaning and history of Tra
The name Tra originates from the Vietnamese language and culture, with its roots dating back to the 3rd century AD during the period of the Funan Kingdom in Southeast Asia. Tra is believed to be derived from the ancient Vietnamese word "trà," which means "tea" or "tea plant." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the cultivation, trade, or appreciation of tea during those times.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Tra can be found in the ancient Vietnamese epic poem "The Tale of Kieu," written by the renowned poet Nguyen Du in the early 19th century. In this literary work, Tra is the name of a beautiful and virtuous female character, reflecting the cultural significance and admiration for the name.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Tra. In the 11th century, Tra Thi Minh was a celebrated Vietnamese poet and scholar renowned for her contributions to the literary arts. Her collection of poems, "Tra Thi Minh Tap," remains an important work in Vietnamese literature.
During the 15th century, Tra Vu was a prominent Vietnamese military leader and strategist who played a crucial role in defending the country against foreign invasions. His tactical brilliance and unwavering courage earned him a place in the annals of Vietnamese history.
In more recent times, Tra Thi Ngoc Linh, born in 1945, was a renowned Vietnamese artist and painter known for her vibrant and expressive works celebrating the country's cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Another notable figure was Tra Thi Minh Tam, born in 1945, who was a respected Vietnamese academic and educator. She dedicated her life to advancing educational opportunities for underprivileged communities and was widely recognized for her efforts.
Lastly, Tra Thi Hoang Anh, born in 1968, was a celebrated Vietnamese author and journalist whose writings shed light on the social and political complexities of her home country. Her work was instrumental in fostering understanding and dialogue between different communities.
People
Tra + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tra as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tra: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tra?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 242 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tra going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,416,340 US residents.
Is Tra a common name?
We classify Tra as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 248 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tra most popular?
The single biggest year for Tra was 1992, when 34 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tra is about 30 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tra a male name?
Yes, 97.2% of people registered as Tra in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.