Your Name in Khmer Script

Free online translator for converting English names to Khmer (ខ្មែរ)

About Khmer Script

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, using a script descended from ancient Brahmi. It has the largest alphabet of any language, with 33 consonants and complex vowel placement.

16+ million native speakers
Speakers Worldwide
1+
Countries

Key Facts:

  • 33 consonants in two series (voicing classes)
  • Largest alphabet in the world (Guinness Record)
  • Vowels can appear before, after, above, below consonant
  • Derived from ancient Indian Brahmi script
  • Ancestor of Thai and Lao scripts
Main countries: Cambodia

How Names Work in Khmer

Khmer transliteration uses consonants with vowels positioned in various locations around them. The script distinguishes two consonant series affecting vowel pronunciation.

Transliteration Rules:

  • Two consonant series with different inherent vowels
  • Vowels wrap around consonants in complex ways
  • Subscript consonants (coeng) for clusters
  • No spaces between words traditionally
  • Some English sounds approximated

Popular Names in Khmer

Here are examples of common English names transliterated to Khmer:

Michael
ម៉ៃឃើល
maikəl
Sarah
សារ៉ា
sārā
David
ដេវីដ
dēvīd
Emma
អេម៉ា
ēmā
Christopher
គ្រីស្តូហ្វើ
krīstōphə
Jennifer
ជេនីហ្វើ
jēnīphə
Alexander
អាឡិចសានដើ
āleksāndə
Sophia
សូហ្វីយ៉ា
sōphīyā

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write my name in Khmer?

Use our Khmer translator above. Type your name in English and it converts to Khmer script using phonetic transliteration.

Is Khmer related to Thai?

Khmer script is the ancestor of Thai script! Thai was developed from Khmer in the 13th century. The languages themselves are from different families.

Why is Khmer alphabet so large?

Khmer has many consonants and complex vowel combinations to represent all its sounds, earning it the Guinness record for largest alphabet.

Does Khmer use spaces between words?

Traditional Khmer doesn't use spaces between words, only between clauses. Modern writing sometimes adds spaces for clarity.

Can Khmer write all English sounds?

Most English sounds have Khmer equivalents or close approximations. Some sounds use combinations of characters.