Bảo

Bao

boyVietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese)Buddhist

Bao is a boy name of Vietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese) origin, meaning “Treasure, precious”.

MeaningTreasure, precious
GenderBoy
OriginVietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese)
Written asBảo
PronunciationBOW
TraditionModern & Classic, Buddhist
Used inVietnam, United States

Meaning and origin of Bao

Bảo is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese character 寶, 'treasure' or 'precious thing', and in other names it can also stand for 保, 'to protect'. It is a popular element in Vietnamese names such as Gia Bảo ('family treasure') and Bảo Anh, and is used for boys and, in combinations, for girls. Bảo Đại, the last emperor of Vietnam, took it as part of his reign name. The Chinese equivalent is Bao, and the Korean Bo.

Is Bao a religious name?

Bảo is not a religious name in itself, but the idea of the 'three treasures' (Tam Bảo: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) gives it a natural resonance for Vietnamese Buddhist families.

How popular is Bao?

Very common in Vietnam and among Vietnamese families abroad, often in two-word combinations.

Gifts with the name Bao

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Spellings and variants of Bao

Bau

Names similar to Bao

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Bao mean?

Bao means 'Treasure, precious'. It is of Vietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese) origin.

Does Bao have a religious meaning?

Bảo is not a religious name in itself, but the idea of the 'three treasures' (Tam Bảo: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) gives it a natural resonance for Vietnamese Buddhist families.

How do you pronounce Bao?

Bao is pronounced BOW.

Is Bao a boy or girl name?

Bao is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.