Chau
Every Chau since 1975 — 496 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chau
Chau is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1975, 496 American babies have been named Chau — about 78% girls and 22% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1982, when 35 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chau stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chau year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,517 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #15,743 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 6 | #14,519 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 6 | #14,895 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #15,018 | — | — |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,604 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,577 | — | — |
| 2009 | 11 | #10,120 | — | — |
| 2008 | 6 | #15,801 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #17,685 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,306 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,637 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,269 | — | — |
| 2002 | 8 | #11,342 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #15,835 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,670 | — | — |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,612 | — | — |
| 1990 | 16 | #5,605 | — | — |
| 1985 | 22 | #3,754 | 12 | #3,628 |
| 1980 | 22 | #3,630 | — | — |
| 1975 | 5 | #9,300 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Chau in 2025?
Chau did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Chau?
496 babies have been named Chau in the United States since 1975, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chau most popular?
Chau peaked in 1982, when 35 newborns received the name.
Is Chau a boy or girl name?
Chau is used for both: about 78% of babies named Chau have been girls and 22% boys.
Is the name Chau rising or falling?
Chau is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.