Find out how popular the first name Han has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Han by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Han is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 53% of people named Han being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 27 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Han.

The history of the first name Han

The name Han has its origins in the Chinese language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is a single-syllable name that was commonly used as a given name in various regions of China.

The name Han is believed to be derived from the Chinese word "han," which means "great" or "grand." It is also thought to have connections to the Han Dynasty, a powerful imperial dynasty that ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE, and the ethnic Han Chinese people, who make up the majority of the population in China.

In ancient Chinese literature and historical records, the name Han appears in various contexts. One notable example is Han Xin, a famous military general who lived during the Han Dynasty and played a crucial role in the founding of the dynasty. Another notable figure is Han Yu, a renowned writer, philosopher, and politician who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).

Among the earliest recorded examples of the name Han is Han Gaozu, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, who reigned from 206 BCE to 195 BCE. He was born Liu Bang and later adopted the name Han as his imperial name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the given name Han. Here are five examples:

1. Han Feizi (around 280-233 BCE): A famous Chinese philosopher and writer who was one of the principal philosophers of the Legalist school of thought.

2. Han Wudi (156-87 BCE): The seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty, known for his military conquests and territorial expansion.

3. Han Xizai (fl. 578-559 BCE): A Chinese philosopher and scholar who was a contemporary of Confucius and is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Spring and Autumn period.

4. Han Tuozhou (1320-1389): A famous Chinese painter and calligrapher during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

5. Han Yongun (1879-1944): A Korean Buddhist monk, writer, and independence activist who played a significant role in the Korean independence movement against Japanese colonial rule.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the given name Han, reflecting its deep roots and significance in Chinese and East Asian cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Han was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Han, please contact us.

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