Vy first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Vy has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Vy

A feminine Vietnamese name meaning "excellence" or "preeminence".

Popularity of Vy by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Vy is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Vy being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Vy.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 28
2022 0 23
2021 0 19
2020 0 18
2019 0 21
2018 0 25
2017 0 23
2016 0 29
2015 0 27
2014 0 34
2013 0 24
2012 0 42
2011 0 31
2010 0 34
2009 0 37
2008 0 52
2007 0 42
2006 0 29
2005 0 37
2004 0 51
2003 0 43
2002 0 30
2001 0 47
2000 0 48
1999 0 36
1998 0 21
1997 5 22
1996 0 24
1995 6 20
1994 0 30
1993 0 29
1992 0 26
1991 0 23
1990 5 24
1989 0 19
1988 5 17
1987 6 20
1986 0 22
1985 0 25
1984 0 21
1983 0 24
1982 0 22
1981 5 18
1980 5 0
1979 0 7

The history of the first name Vy

The name Vy is of Vietnamese origin and has its roots in the ancient Vietnamese language. It is believed to have derived from the word "vy," which means "precious" or "valuable" in Vietnamese. This name gained popularity during the ancient Vietnamese kingdoms and dynasties, particularly during the Ly and Tran dynasties, which ruled from the 11th to the 15th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vy 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 epic, one of the central characters is named Vy, which reflects the significance and cultural relevance of the name during that era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Vy. One of the earliest was Vy Quy (1072-1151), a famous Vietnamese Confucian scholar and politician who served as a high-ranking official during the Ly Dynasty. Another prominent figure was Vy Khanh (1339-1396), a Vietnamese military leader and strategist who played a crucial role in defending the country against Chinese invasions during the Tran Dynasty.

In more recent times, the name Vy has been carried by several influential individuals, such as Vy Thi Huong (born 1988), a Vietnamese woman who gained international attention for her involvement in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in 2017. Another notable bearer of the name is Vy Higginsen (born 1949), an American playwright, producer, and writer best known for her musical productions and her work in promoting African-American culture and arts.

Additionally, the name Vy has been associated with various artistic and cultural figures, such as Vy Nguyen (born 1982), a Vietnamese-American fashion designer and entrepreneur, and Vy Le (born 1981), a Vietnamese-Canadian actress and model who has appeared in several Hollywood productions.

While the name Vy has its roots in Vietnamese culture, it has transcended borders and gained recognition in various parts of the world, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and the enduring appeal of this ancient Vietnamese name.

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

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

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"Vy first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 8, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/vy-meaning-and-history/.

"Vy first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/vy-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 May, 2025

Vy first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/vy-meaning-and-history/.

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