Tenzin

“Holder of the Buddha's teachings” — Tibetan origin

Boy's name · #2254 in the US (2025) · 2010s

Tenzin reached #1762 in 2014 and has eased to #2254 since. About 1,700 boys have carried it since 1992. In New York it runs about 8× its national rate.

Around the world: about 1 in 1,900 boys in Switzerland (2024) · about 1 in 6,600 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 7,400 boys in Belgium (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 3 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Tenzins

Tenzin Gyatso — 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetans
Tenzin Tsundue — Tibetan activist
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche — Tibetan Lama
Tenzin Choedrak — Tibetan physician (1922-2001)
Tenzin Tethong — Tibetan political figure

In stories & tradition

Tenzin — The Legend of Korra

What Tenzins become

Among 42 notable people named Tenzin:

Political leaders appear 1.85× more often than among typical names — e.g. Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan activist.

Similar names: Ibraheem · Theoden · Carsyn · Jaxyn · Hussein · Corbyn

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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