Hiền

Hien

unisexVietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese)Buddhist

Hien is a unisex name of Vietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese) origin, meaning “Gentle, kind, virtuous”.

MeaningGentle, kind, virtuous
GenderUnisex
OriginVietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese)
Written asHiền
PronunciationHYEN
TraditionModern & Classic, Buddhist
Used inVietnam, United States

Meaning and origin of Hien

Hiền comes from the Sino-Vietnamese reading of 賢, meaning 'worthy, virtuous', and in everyday Vietnamese hiền describes a gentle, good-natured person. It is used mostly for girls, as in Thu Hiền or Thanh Hiền, though it also appears in men's names. A similar spelling with a different tone, Hiển, means 'illustrious' and is mainly a boy's name, so the written accent matters. Without diacritics both are usually written Hien.

Is Hien a religious name?

Hiền has no specific religious background, though its sense of gentleness and goodness fits well with Buddhist ideals of kindness that many Vietnamese families value.

How popular is Hien?

A familiar name in Vietnam, especially for girls, and among Vietnamese communities abroad.

Gifts with the name Hien

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Spellings and variants of Hien

Names similar to Hien

LinhThaoLanHoa

More unisex names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hien mean?

Hien means 'Gentle, kind, virtuous'. It is of Vietnamese (Sino-Vietnamese) origin.

Does Hien have a religious meaning?

Hiền has no specific religious background, though its sense of gentleness and goodness fits well with Buddhist ideals of kindness that many Vietnamese families value.

How do you pronounce Hien?

Hien is pronounced HYEN.

Is Hien a boy or girl name?

Hien is used for both boys and girls.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.