What does "Nam Van, female Thi" mean, why did the ancients like to give this name to their children?

In recent years, many women have felt uncomfortable, even wanting to remove the word "Thi" from their middle names. For them, "Thi" evokes an old, stereotyped feeling and somewhat associated with gender stereotypes.

"Thi" – from clan symbols to gender signs

In Asian history, the word "Thi" does not have a gender meaning. Originally, it referred to a clan or branch, similar to a formal way of addressing oneself. Many ancient documents such as the Dai Viet Historical Encyclopedia record the use of "thi" as a neutral element, regardless of male and female.

In ancient China, "town" was placed after them to determine the ancestry. In some texts, women are also referred to by the structure of "surname", for example "Duong Thi", "Nguyen Thi", with the simple meaning of women belonging to the surname Duong and the surname Nguyen. When introduced to Vietnam, this model was received and transformed according to the characteristics of the indigenous culture.

However, under the long-term influence of the Confucian ritual – where women were restricted from revealing their personal identities – the word "Thi" gradually slipped out of the neutral clan meaning and became a separate identifier for women. When the formula "Full Name – Thi – Name" was formed, it quickly became a popular "identity" of Vietnamese women for more than a millennium.

Do women really get their names removed?

The fact that "Thi" is associated with a woman's name makes many people today think that it is a manifestation of imposition and inequality. But in fact, in epitaphs, bronze bells, genealogy and history books, the names of Vietnamese women still appear quite densely. They were not completely erased from their identities, but only recorded according to the standards of the times.

In noble families, women still keep their father's surname and add "Thi" to the back. Names such as "Queen Duong Thi", "Mrs. Nguyen Thi" actually only mean the queen surnamed Duong, Mrs. Concubine surnamed Nguyen. That shows that "Thi" used to be a symbol confirming the origin of the family rather than a meaningless cushion.

However, over time, as society changed and personal consciousness was promoted, "Thi" began to be felt as a superfluous element, associated with a period when women were less valued. The fact that many modern women want to drop this word may not be a denial of tradition, but a way of asserting their right to call themselves according to their personal wishes.

"Nam Van Nu Thi": A recipe deeply ingrained in the subconscious

Parallel to "Thi" in female names is the word "Van" in male names. While "Thi" almost never appears in men's names, "Van" has become the most common middle name for Vietnamese boys.

Since ancient times, grandparents have passed down the phrase "the most men write right, ten women write nothing", reflecting the idea of respecting men and contempt for women in feudal society. Men can go to school, take exams, have the opportunity to be officials, and contribute to the court. They are considered to be people with "words", carrying the mission of inheriting and glorifying the family.

Therefore, the word "Van" in the middle name is not just a habit, but also a dream of parents: hoping that their sons will study well, become famous, and build a great career. Gradually, the formula of "male literature and female Thi" was formed and deeply ingrained in the subconscious of many generations of Vietnamese people.

Even though modern society promotes gender equality, many families still keep the word "Van" as a way of remembering their roots, and at the same time sending expectations for a smooth future for their sons.

Nowadays, along with the wave of international integration and cultural development, traditional naming is undergoing many changes. Many families choose new middle names, which have more beautiful meanings for both boys and girls, instead of keeping the old formula.

There are also many debates around the use of the word "Thi" for girls. Some people think that it is a cultural heritage that should be cherished; Others see it as a vestige of a period of inequality that needs to be corrected. In fact, the origin of "Thi" does not have an inferior connotation. Its "devaluation" largely comes from the way society interprets it in a specific historical context.

However, it is undeniable that "male literature and female Thi" still exist as a long-standing cultural habit. It reflects both the history of Sino-Vietnamese adaptation, Confucian influences and traditional family mentality.

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