If you have ever introduced yourself to a Thai person, you might have been confused by their name.

You might hear names like “Bank,” “Golf,” “Apple,” or even “Beer.”

You might be thinking, is that really written on their passport?

The answer is usually no. These are Thai nicknames.

In Thailand, nicknames are not just for close friends. Everyone has one, from the King down to a shopkeeper. We use them almost exclusively in daily life. You might know a Thai friend for years and never actually know their “real” legal name!

In Thai, we call the nickname chue-len (ชื่อเล่น).

Literally, chue (ชื่อ) means “name” and len (เล่น) means “play.” So, it translates to “play name.”

But don’t let the translation fool you - these names are very important.

Here is everything you need to know about Thai nicknames, why we have them, and what the most common ones are.

Why do Thai people have nicknames?

The main reason we use nicknames is very practical: Thai legal names are extremely long.

In the past, Thai people didn’t use surnames. But when laws changed and everyone required a family name, people started creating very unique, long, and formal names derived from Sanskrit or Pali (ancient languages, similar to how Latin is used in Europe).

These “real names” (chue-jing) are used for formal documents, ID cards, and government business. They are believed to bring good luck and destiny to the person.

However, saying a name like Kittiphong or Pornthip every time you want to call someone is tiresome.

So, parents give their children a short, one or two-syllable chue-len (nickname) at birth.

The old superstition about ghosts

There is also a spooky, traditional reason for nicknames.

In ancient times, infant mortality rates were high. People believed that if a baby was cute or had a beautiful name, evil spirits or ghosts would get jealous and want to “take” the baby away (meaning, the baby would get sick or die).

To trick the ghosts, parents gave their babies “ugly” or undesirable nicknames.

They would call the baby “Pig,” “Frog,” “Fat,” or “Tiny.”

The idea was that if the ghost heard the parents calling the child “Pig,” the ghost wouldn’t be interested in stealing a pig!

While modern Thai people don’t really fear these ghosts anymore, the tradition of giving these specific nicknames stuck. That is why you will meet many people named Moo (Pig) or Gop (Frog).

Common categories of Thai nicknames

Thai parents can be very creative. Unlike in the West, where a nickname usually comes from your real name (like Robert becoming Bob), Thai nicknames usually have nothing to do with the legal name.

Here are the most common types you will encounter.

1. Appearance and attributes

These are the classics. They are often given based on what the baby looked like when they were born, or the order they were born in.

2. Animals

As mentioned in the ghost section, animal names are very popular. They are seen as cute and affectionate.

3. Fruits and Food

Thais love food, so it makes sense that we name our children after it! These are usually female names, but not always.

Strange and funny English nicknames

In the last 30 or 40 years, it has become very trendy to give children English nicknames.

However, Thai parents often choose these words because they sound cool, not necessarily because of the meaning.

Sometimes they pick luxury brand names, or sometimes random objects. To a native English speaker, these can sound quite funny!

Here are some common English-style nicknames you will hear:

• Bank (Very common for boys)
• Golf (Also very common for boys)
• Beer (Yes, really!)
• Benz (Like the car, Mercedes Benz)
• Fiat (Another car brand)
• Ball
• Mint
• Milk
• Donut
• Ice

So if you meet a girl named “Donut” or a boy named “Beer,” don’t laugh! It is a perfectly normal name here in Thailand.

How to ask for someone’s nickname

When you meet a Thai person, it is polite to learn their nickname quickly. It helps build a relationship and makes speaking to them much easier.

If you only know their formal name, you can ask for their nickname like this:

Or, if you want to be a bit more casual:

Here is how someone might reply:

Usually, once you know their nickname, you should drop the “Khun” (Mr./Ms.) unless the situation is very formal. Using the nickname shows friendliness and warmth.

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Understanding chue-len is the key to connecting with Thai people.

It shows you understand the culture. Remember, don’t be surprised if your new friend is named “Ant” or “Benz.”

It’s just part of the fun of learning Thai! 😊

To recap:

• Chue-len means “Play Name” (Nickname).
• Chue-jing means “Real Name” (Legal Name).
• Nicknames are used everywhere, even at work.
• They come from animals, sizes, birth order, or English words.

Go out now and ask your Thai friends what their chue-len means. You might hear a funny story about why their parents chose it.