Cambodian name

Part of a series on the
Culture of Cambodia
Society
Khmers Ethnic groups Folklore History Languages Holidays Religion Script Women Youth
Topics
Art Architecture Ceramics Cinema Clothing Cuisine (Royal cuisine) Dance Literature Media Newspapers Radio Television Music Sculpture Sports Theatre
Symbols
Flag Coat of arms Anthem World Heritage Sites
Cambodia portal
v t e

Cambodian names (or Khmer names; ឈ្មោះខ្មែរ chhmŏăh khmêr) are names used or originating in Cambodia which usually consist of two elements including a patronymic, which serves as a common family name for siblings, followed by a given name (i.e. following the Eastern name order).^[1][2] An example is singer Sinn Sisamouth, his surname (last name) is Sinn and his given name (first name) is Sisamouth (in Western sources, the two are sometimes reversed).^[3]

The use of surnames in Cambodia is relatively recent and was not mandated by law until imposed by the French in 1910.^[4] Surnames are typically derived from the father's given name.^[5]

Other Austroasiatic indigenous people groups within Cambodia have similar naming customs, while the Sino-Khmer and Viet-Khmer may follow Chinese and Vietnamese naming patterns, respectively. Chams in Cambodia may have either Khmer or Cham names or a combination of both. Cham name order is the reverse of the Khmer; the given name is followed by the father's given name.^[6]: 23