Firstname vs nickname — and why the rules differ
Updated 2026-07-21
Almost every Thai child has two names: a firstname (the formal, registered name) and a nickname used in daily life. Both are given by parents at birth, but they play completely different roles under different rules.
Firstnames usually come from Pali-Sanskrit, carry auspicious meanings, and must follow Thaksa-Pakorn to avoid the birth day's kalakini letters. Nicknames can be anything — a Thai word, a food, an English word — and are not tied to the birth day at all.
Why nicknames skip the birth-day rule
Because Thaksa-Pakorn governs only the formal firstname. The nickname is an informal name used at home and among friends, so it's chosen freely — no letter rules constrain it.
That's why on DekDuangDee the by-birthday pages show only firstnames, while nicknames are browsed freely in the swipe game and the dedicated nicknames page.
Where Thai nicknames come from
Thai nicknames come from many sources — appearance at birth (e.g. อ้วน 'chubby'), a quality parents wish for (เก่ง 'clever'), a favourite food or object, English words (มิ้นท์ Mint, บีม Beam), or just cute sounds. Most are a single syllable, and Thais usually know each other by nickname more than by first name.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the nickname have to relate to the firstname?
- Not at all. Most Thai nicknames are completely unrelated to the first name — a separate word the parents choose.
- Can the nickname be an English word?
- Yes, and it's very popular — Mint, Beam, Ice, Prim. English-loan nicknames are a common modern trend.
- Should we choose the firstname or nickname first?
- Up to the family. Many choose the nickname first, even before birth, then settle the Thaksa-compliant firstname later. The two need not match.
Check a name you have in mind — free in the DekDuangDee app
Type any Thai name in the app for an instant kalakini, Tāksā, and numerology reading.