Quý

Quý is a Vietnamese feminine given name. Derived from Sino-Vietnamese 貴 (quý) meaning "precious, valuable" or "noble," the name reflects a traditional virtue. It is often used in combination with other characters to form two-syllable names, such as Mai Quý or Quý Anh.

Notable Bearers

One notable bearer is Võ Quý (1929–2017), a Vietnamese zoologist and professor at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. He was an ornithologist and a recipient of the 2003 Blue Planet Prize. During the war against the French, he studied in China, but in 1954 returned to Vietnam, helping to found the University of Hanoi. He researched the effects of defoliation by the United States in the Vietnam War, including the impact of Agent Orange on the environment, and helped plan reforestation programmes. Dr. Quý also relocated the rare eastern sarus crane, which had been badly affected by the war, and helped establish a treaty for the protection of migratory birds. He suggested that the Vietnamese pheasant (Lophura hatinhensis) might be a distinct species from Edward's pheasant, though this split is not widely accepted.

Cultural Significance

In Vietnamese culture, the element quý is commonly used in names to express the hope that the child will be cherished and esteemed. The name is also used for boys, though less frequently.

• Meaning: Precious, valuable
• Origin: Sino-Vietnamese
• Type: Given name
• Regions Used: Vietnam