Etymology of Thai regnal names

The names of Thai kings are heavily influenced by Sanskrit, Pali, and Khmer, reflecting Thailand’s deep connections with Hindu-Buddhist traditions and Indic culture.^[1] These names often carry religious and symbolic meanings, referring to Buddhist values, Hindu gods, and royal ideals that highlight the king’s spiritual and moral role as a ruler. Traditionally, Thai kings are seen as dhammarāja ("righteous kings") or even devarāja ("god-kings"), titles that link their rule to both religious authority and cosmic power.^[2]

Most Thai monarchs have more than one name. They are usually born with a personal name, and some take on a regnal (coronation) name when they become king. These names are often very formal and use Pali-Sanskrit language, including titles like Maha ("great"), Borommarachathirat ("supreme king of kings"), or Chulalongkorn ("crown jewel of the universe").^[3] In everyday use, though, Thai kings are usually known by their personal names or popular titles. Such as King Bhumibol instead of Rama IX ^[4]

Regnal Names of Thai Kings

Regnal Names	Etymology	List of Holders
Ram (Rama) ราม	Rama, name of an avatar of Vishnu and Lakshmi^[5]	Rama I Rama II Rama III Rama IV Rama V Rama VI Rama VII Rama VIII Rama IX Rama X
Sanphet สรรเพชญ์	San^[6] + Phet^[7], สรร + เพชญ์ ; from Khmer: Sral + from Sanskrit Vijña Sral, San: to select, to choose Vijña, Phet: wise, knowing Sanphet: choosen wisemen	Sanphet I Sanphet II Sanphet III Sanphet IV Sanphet V Sanphet VI Sanphet VII Sanphet VIII Sanphet IX Sanphet X
Ramathibodi รามาธิบดี	Rama^[5] + (Thi + Bodi)^[8], รามา + ธิบดี ; from Sanskrit Rama + from Pali: Adhi + from Pali Pati Rama: Rama, name of an avatar of Vishnu and Lakshmi^[5] Adhi: superior / supreme Pati: overlord Ramadhipati: the supreme overlord rama	Ramathibodi I Ramathibodi II Ramathibodi III Ramathibodi IV
Borommarachathirat บรมราชาธิราช	Boromma^[9] + Racha^[10] + Thi^[8] + Rat^[11], บรม + ราชา + ธิ + ราช; from Sanskrit Parama + from Sanskrit Raja + from Pali Adhi + from Old Khmer Raja Parama: supreme Raja: king Adhi: superior Raja: king Paramarajadhiraja: supreme king over all kings	Borommarachathirat I Borommarachathirat II Borommarachathirat III Borommarachathirat IV
Maha Thammaracha มหาธรรมราชา	Maha^[12] + Thamma^[13] + Racha^[10] , มหา + ธรรม + ราชา; from Pali Maha + from Sanskrit Dharma + from Sanskrit Raja Maha: supreme Dharma: just (as in justice / moral) Raja: king Maha Dharmaraja: supreme moral king	Maha Thammaracha I Maha Thammaracha II Maha Thammaracha III Maha Thammaracha IV
Borommaracha บรมราชา	Boromma^[9] + Racha^[10], บรม + ราชา; from Sanskrit Parama + from Sanskrit Raja Parama: supreme Raja: king Paramaraja: supreme king	Borommaracha I Borommaracha II Borommaracha III Borommaracha IV
Maha Thammarachathirat มหาธรรมราชาธิราช	Maha^[12] + Thamma^[13] + Racha^[10] + Thi^[8] + Rat^[11], มหา + ธรรม + ราชา + ธิ + ราช; from Pali Maha + from Sanskrit Dharma + from Sanskrit Raja + from Pali Adhi + from Old Khmer Raja Maha: supreme Dharma: just (as in justice / moral) Raja: king Adhi: superior Raja: king Maha Dharmararajadhiraja: supreme moral king over all kings	Maha Thammarachathirat I Maha Thammarachathirat II Maha Thammarachathirat III
Phetracha เพทราชา	Phet^[14] + Racha^[10], เพท + ราชา; from Sanskrit Veda + from Sanskrit Raja Veda: knowledge Raja: king Vedaraja: knowing king	Phetracha
Maha Chakkraphat มหาจักรพรรดิ	Maha^[12] + (Chakra + Phat)^[15], มหา + จักร + พรรดิ; from Pali Maha + from Sanskrit Chakra+ from Sanskrit Vartin Maha: supreme Chakra: wheel Vartin: turner Maha Chakravartin: supreme wheel-turner / supreme emperor	Maha Chakkraphat
Worawongsathirat วรวงศาธิราช	Wora^[16] + Wongsa^[17] + Thi^[8] + Rat^[11], วร + วงศ + (า)ธิ + ราช; from Pali Vara+ from Pali Vaṃśa + from Pali Adhi + from Old Khmer Raja Vara: chosen Vaṃśa: linage / descendant Adhi: superior Raja: king Varavaṃśadhiraja: chosen descendant over all kings	Worawongsathirat
Borommatrailokkanat บรมไตรโลกนาถ	Boromma^[9] + Trai^[18] + Loka^[19] + Nat^[20], บรม + ไตร + โลก + นาถ; from Sanskrit Parama + from Sanskrit Traya + from Sanskrit Loka + from Sanskrit Natha Parama: supreme Traya: three Loka: world Natha: protector Paramatrayalokanatha: supreme protector of the three worlds	Borommatrailokanat

*only unique and successive names are included

References

^ Bunchaliew, Yaiprae (2024-03-14). "The Captivating Stories Behind Thai Names". Thailand Foundation. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^ Murashima E. The Origin of Modern Official State Ideology in Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 1988;19(1):80-96. doi:10.1017/S0022463400000345
^ Wikipedia.org. Published December 19, 2003. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thai_monarchs#Chakri_dynasty_(1782%E2%80%93present) ‌
^ The. Bhumibol Adulyadej | Facts, Biography, & Reign. Encyclopedia Britannica. Published July 20, 1998. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bhumibol-Adulyadej ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c ราม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1 ‌
^ Slayden G. thai-language.com - สรร. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/134211 ‌
^ https://www.wisdomlib.org. Vijna, Vijñā, Vijña, Vijnate: 15 definitions. Wisdomlib.org. Published April 25, 2019. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vijna ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d อธิบดี - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5 ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c บรม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1 ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ราชา - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2 ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c ราช - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A ‌
^ ^a ^b ^c มหา - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2 ‌
^ ^a ^b ธรรม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1 ‌
^ เวท - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%97 ‌
^ จักรพรรดิ - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4 ‌
^ Slayden G. thai-language.com - วร. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143353 ‌
^ Slayden G. thai-language.com - วงศ์. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143355 ‌
^ ไตร - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3 ‌
^ โลก - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81 ‌
^ Slayden G. thai-language.com - นาถ. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143335 ‌

[1] Bunchaliew, Yaiprae (2024-03-14). "The Captivating Stories Behind Thai Names". Thailand Foundation. Retrieved 2025-06-10.

[2] Murashima E. The Origin of Modern Official State Ideology in Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 1988;19(1):80-96. doi:10.1017/S0022463400000345

[3] Wikipedia.org. Published December 19, 2003. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thai_monarchs#Chakri_dynasty_(1782%E2%80%93present) ‌

[4] The. Bhumibol Adulyadej | Facts, Biography, & Reign. Encyclopedia Britannica. Published July 20, 1998. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bhumibol-Adulyadej ‌

[:0-5] ราม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1 ‌

[6] Slayden G. thai-language.com - สรร. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/134211 ‌

[7] ttps://www.wisdomlib.org. Vijna, Vijñā, Vijña, Vijnate: 15 definitions. Wisdomlib.org. Published April 25, 2019. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vijna ‌

[:1-8] อธิบดี - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5 ‌

[:2-9] บรม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1 ‌

[:3-10] ราชา - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2 ‌

[:4-11] ราช - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A ‌

[:5-12] มหา - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2 ‌

[:6-13] ธรรม - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1 ‌

[14] เวท - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%97 ‌

[15] จักรพรรดิ - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4 ‌

[16] Slayden G. thai-language.com - วร. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143353 ‌

[17] Slayden G. thai-language.com - วงศ์. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143355 ‌

[18] ไตร - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3 ‌

[19] โลก - Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wiktionary. Published 2022. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81 ‌

[20] Slayden G. thai-language.com - นาถ. Thai-language.com. Published 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. http://www.thai-language.com/id/143335 ‌

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