Chey

Chey is a Khmer surname derived from the Sanskrit word जय (jaya), meaning "victory" or "triumph." In Khmer, the name carries this auspicious connotation, reflecting themes of success and overcoming obstacles. The influence of Sanskrit on Khmer naming traditions stems from the historical spread of Hinduism and Buddhism into Southeast Asia, where many Khmer names—particularly among the ethnic Khmer population of Cambodia—adopted elements of Sanskrit vocabulary.

Separately, in English-speaking contexts, Chey also functions as a diminutive of the female given name Cheyenne, derived from the Cheyenne Native American tribe. However, this usage is etymologically unrelated to the Khmer surname. In Cambodia and among Khmer diaspora communities worldwide, Chey (often spelled ជ័យ in the Khmer script) remains a common patronymic and sometimes—when the lineage dictates hereditary use—a prominent surname passed through generations.

• Meaning: Victory
• Origin: Sanskrit, via Khmer
• Type: Surname
• Usage: Khmer (also a diminutive in English for Cheyenne)