What was Pad Thai originally called before its name was shortened?

Before its name was shortened, Pad Thai was originally called “kuai tiao pad thai.” The longer name identifies the dish as a Thai-style preparation of kuai tiao, a term associated with rice noodles.

Wikipedia explains that the name was later shortened to simply “pad thai.” In the longer form, “kuai tiao” connects the dish to a wider Southeast Asian noodle vocabulary with Chinese roots, while “pad” refers to stir-frying and “Thai” signals the national style.

This history is why Pad Thai is often described as both Thai and influenced by Chinese immigrant foodways. Related terms appear in neighboring cuisines, including kuyteav in Cambodia, hủ tiếu in Vietnam, and kway teow in Malaysia and Singapore. The shortened name became the internationally familiar one.