The ways in which Vietnamese parents name their children have changed.
A name is not the only way to distinguish someone's identity, but has also been widely believed to have an effect on their lives. Concepts about naming differ from family to family, and many parents consult elders when naming their children. There are many taboos, including reusing names of old relatives or accidentally using profane references.
This change has led to the increasing use of Western nicknames that are used only among friends and family.
In the past many Vietnamese people believed that giving their children unattractive names would reduce those children's chances of illness and disease. At that time many children were named with reference to some past experience of their parents.
Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Chuân, of Hai Duong Province is 51 years old. Her mother chose that name because of the pain and danger she experienced during a very long childbirth. In the end, the mother had to have a cesarean section.
The name Chuân comes from the Vietnamese term gian truân, meaning difficulties or challenges.
One of Mrs. Chuân's neighbourers is named Vũ Đình Đần. She is 56 years old, Her name, Đần, literally means “stupid", and many people from her generation share such names because of the traditions that existed in past generations. She shared that her parents used this 'ugly' name to prevent any troubles from illness, disease or ghosts.
A family in Thai Binh Province named their children “Uất” (anger) and Hận (resentment) as way of releasing ill feelings towards a neighbour after a confrontation.
Traditional Vietnamese middle names indicate gender, for example “Thị” in “Nguyễn Thị Trang” for women and “Văn” or “Đình” like “Phạm Đình Trọng” for men. However, this tradition has begun to fade. Mrs. Đinh Thị Mai Hường, of Hanoi, presents a good example. She said that she did not want to pass down her middle name to her daughter, because she wanted her to have a more modern name. She also commented that, "There is no reason for us to give ugly names to our kids now. It can arouse bad images in others' minds and maybe even bring bad luck."
The new trend in Vietnam is to use more attractive-sounding names, such as Bin, Tom, Ben and Bi for boys, or Bong, Nhim and Cun for girls, at least at home.
Mrs. Đỗ Hồng Vân, also from Hanoi, said that she named her son Lục Nam Khánh. But at home he is called "Bi" because it is short and sounds nice.
Another trend has been to give foreign names to children, even though their official names are different. Jack, Jennnifer, Andy and Elly have become quite popular.
Still, superstition has not completely receded. Many families are not hesitant to pay half a million VND to ask a fortune-teller for the best name for their children, in the belief that the decision will be a factor in their fate.
Mrs. Luu Quynh Trang, of Hanoi, said a friend of her's introduced her to a fortune-teller in Bac Ninh Province. She and her husband went there and had to pay VND500,000 (USD23.8) for a name for their son.
Even though the husband's name was Nguyễn Đức, the fortune-teller said his son should be called Nguyễn Gia, explaining that the word “Gia” means “family” and would help protect him from diseases.
The mother, however, was not entirely happy with the recommendation, saying that her son later became sick and his growth was stunted. Recently the couple made the decision to add Đức to their son's name. She added that it was very difficult to make changes to the birth certificate and other official documents.
Bui Thi Tuyet Mai, who has a masters in psychology and teaches at Thai Binh Teachers Training College, said that in Vietnam, giving a name to a child has significant importance, and reflects the hopes parents have for their children. However he dismissed superstitious notions that these names could have significant impacts on children' fates, and said that going to fortune-tellers for such issues is probably a waste of money.
“It would be foolish for parents to spend money on this and neglect the child's education, which could actually be useful," she added.