Houa is a unique and distinctive given name of Vietnamese origin, derived from the Vietnamese word 'hóa', which means 'transform'. It's pronounced as 'wah', rhyming with 'ma' in English. This name has gained popularity beyond Vietnam, appearing in other Southeast Asian countries like Laos, where it is often spelled 'Houa' or 'Hoa'. The name Houa is of the feminine gender, although it can sometimes be used for males as well.
The name Houa experienced fluctuations in popularity between 1981 and 2002, with a notable spike in births in 1992 (17 births) and consistent but lower numbers thereafter, ranging from 5 to 13 births annually.