Chantha as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Chantha

What is the meaning of the name Chantha ?

The baby name Chantha is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced CHAN-tah (approx.); IPA: /ˈtʃæn.tɑː/.

Chantha is Khmer in Origin.

Chantha is a unisex Southeast Asian given name found most prominently in Cambodia and Laos, with usage in Thailand as well. It ultimately derives from Sanskrit chandra “moon,” transmitted through Pali/Khmer/Lao, and in some traditions is associated with chandana “sandalwood,” extending its sense to fragrance and purity. As a result, Chantha commonly conveys meanings such as “moon,” “luminous,” or “fragrant like sandalwood,” evoking calm beauty and auspiciousness.

The name appears in records from the 19th–20th centuries across Khmer and Lao communities and persists widely in the diaspora (France, Australia, the United States). It is borne by all genders and can also surface as a family name in Romanized Khmer contexts. Related forms and variants include Chantha/Chanta, Chanthea, Chantrea/Chanthrea, Chanthy, Chanthou, Chantra/Chantara, Chanthara, and the pan-Indic roots Chandra and Chanda. Diminutives such as Chan are common. Regional spelling and tone vary with local orthographies, but the lunar, serene symbolism remains consistent.

⚙ Chantha is seldom given. We count 25 recorded uses of it across 11 countries.