Trần Thiếu Đế's name (𤇼 / Yên) was suggested by Khâm định Việt sử thông giám cương mục, because Nguyễn dynasty's officials could not find the exact Chinese character for this sovereign (National Bureau for Historical Record 1998, p. 321).

At the age of only three, he was chosen to succeed his father Trần Thuận Tông who was forced by regent Hồ Quý Ly to resign and hold the title Retired Emperor.

[1] On March 15 of the Lunar calendar, 1398, under pressure of Hồ Quý Ly, Thuận Tông had to cede the throne to his three-year-old son, now Trần Thiếu Đế, and held the position of retired emperor.

[7] Profiting the chaotic situation in royal court, Nguyễn Nhữ Cái gathered thousands of people to rise a revolt against Trần's rulers in the northwestern region.

[8] Being Hồ Quý Ly's own grandson, Thiếu Đế was only downgraded to Prince Bảo Ninh instead of being killed like his father.