Lao names (Lao: ຊື່ ), like Thai ones, are given in Western order, where the family name goes after the first given name. On official documents, both first given name and surname are written, but it is customary to refer to people in formal situations by their first name, plus titles and honorifics, alone.Siegall, A. L., & Connoly, W. G. (1999). The New York Times manual of style and usage. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.

In daily life, outside of formal, international, or academic spheres, Lao people generally refer to themselves and others by nicknames, or seu lin—literally "playnames" (Lao: ຊື່ຫຼິ້ນ ).Rehbein, B. (2007). Globalization, culture and society in Laos. New York: Routledge. Much like the nicknames of Thai people (with whom the Lao share a great deal of cultural similarity), the names are often unflattering, although some are based on onomatopoeia, nonsense syllables, or peculiar characteristics. This is largely based on old superstitions from times when health care was not available and there was high infant mortality, as many of these names were supposed to ward off evil spirits from claiming the child.

The French Colonial government mandated the introduction of surnames in Laos in 1943, beginning first with the royalty and the elite before becoming a common practice among the other classes. To this day, among isolated ethnic groups and remote rural villages, it is still possible to find individuals who do not possess a surname.LeBar, F., & Suddard, A. (1967). Laos: Its people, its society, its culture. New Haven, CT: Human Relations Area Files Press.

Both first and surname are a mixture of Pali or Sanskrit and Lao words. The wording comes from variety of influences, such as nature, animals, and royal titles. Lao names are generally made up of two or three words, but when translated into English span nearly 10–15 letters, for which both Lao and Thai names are known.

Common name components Name ComponentModern SpellingArchaic SpellingOrigin and Meaning Boun ບຸນ N/A Pali , “happiness,” “prosperity,” "goodness,” “virtue”. Vong(sa) , Phong(sa) ວົງ, ພົງ ວົງສ໌, ພົງສ໌ Sanskrit vamsha, "royal lineage" or "family", hence this component is a staple in many Lao surnames. Singh or Syha ສິງ , ສິຫະ ສິງຫ໌, N/A Sanskrit siṃha, "Leo" or "lion". Chan, Chanh, Chantha ຈັນ ຈັນທ໌, ຈັນທຣ໌ Sanskrit chandra, "moon", not to be confused with the tiane in Vientiane which means "sandalwood". Dao ດາວ N/A Lao, "star." Dara ດາລາ ດາຣາ Sanskrit tara, "Evening Star". Pha , Phra ພະ ພຣະ Lao, usually imparts royal or religious significance to the following component. Kham ຄຳ N/A Lao, "golden" or "precious." Mali ມະລິ ມາລີ Lao/Thai, "Jasmine" () or "blossom". Ngeun, Ngoen ເງິນ N/A Lao, "money" or "silver." Racha, Rasa ລາຊາ, ລາດ ຣາຊາ, ຣາຊ Sanskrit raja, "king". Savane, Savan, Savanh ສະຫວັນ ສວັຣ, ສວັຣຄ໌ Sanskrit swarga, or "heaven". Seng, Saeng ແສງ N/A Lao, "light". Phou, Phu ພູ N/A Lao, "mountain". Sri, Si ສີ ສີ, ສຣີ Sanskrit sri, or "splendid". Keo, Kaew, Kèw ແກ້ວ N/A Lao, "glass", "precious", "gem". Vora, Worra ວໍລະ ວໍຣະ Sanskrit varaha, "excellent", "superb". Chai, Sai, Xai, Xay ໄຊ ໄຊຍ໌, ຊັຍ Sanskrit jaya, "victory". Tong, Thong ທອງ N/A Lao, "golden" or "copper."

List of Lao Surnames SurnamePopulationComponents Inthavong ອິນທະວົງ ອິນທະ,'Intha' - Indra ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Chanthavong ຈັນທະວົງ ຈັນທະ, 'Chantha' - Moon ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Thammavong ທັມມະວົງ ທັມມະ, 'Thamma' - Dharma ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Noy Manivong ມະນີວົງ ມະນີ, 'Mani' - Jewel, Gem ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Phanthavong ພັນທະວົງ ພັນທະ, 'Phantha' - Connect, Join, Tie ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Lao Kham ຄຳ ຄຳ, 'Kham' - Gold Keo ແກ້ວ ແກ້ວ, 'Keo' - Glass Phommachanh ພົມມະຈັນ ພົມມະ, 'Phomma' - Brahma ຈັນ, 'Chanh' - Moon Sayavong ໄຊຍະວົງ ໄຊຍະ, 'Saya' - Victory ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Vongphachanh ວົງ​ພະຈັນວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage ພະ, 'Pha' - Holy, Royal ຈັນ, 'Chanh' - Moon Xayavong ໄຊຍະວົງ ໄຊຍະ, 'Xaya' - Victory ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Phommavong ພົມມະວົງ ພົມມະ, 'Phomma' - Brahma ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage Chanthalangsy ຈັນທະລັງສີ ຈັນທະ, 'Chantha' - Moon ລັງສີ, 'langsi' - Ray, Beam Keomany ແກ້ວມະນີ ແກ້ວ, 'Keo' - Glass ມະນີ, 'Mani' - Jewel, Gem Phimmasone ພິມມະສອນ ພິມ, 'Phim' - Law, Custom, Form ສອນ, 'Sone' - Arrow, Weapon Seng Vongxay ວົງໄຊ ວົງ, 'Vong' - Family, Lineage ໄຊ, 'Xay' - Victory

See also Indian honorifics Indosphere Greater India

References