Cambodia Naming Customs

Online Tools

 * Behind the Name: Khmer Surnames
 * Behind the Name: Khmer Given Names
 * Behind the Name: Arabic Surnames
 * Behind the Name: Arabic Given Names
 * List of some family names

Surnames
Cambodian names usually consist of two elements including a patronymic, which serves as a common family name for siblings, followed by a given name.
 * Traditionally, the Khmer do not have Western-style family names shared by multiple generations or entire families. Instead, Khmer children use their father's given name as their family name.
 * Women keep their maiden names after marriage.
 * Different naming traditions exist among ethnic groups other than the Khmer majority. The Cambodian population is 90% Buddhist and names are often taken from Buddhism.
 * Among the Muslim minority, Arabic names are often used as family names.

Given Names
Generally, women are given names relating to beauty, while men are given names of virtues.Some Cambodian given names are unisex names.