Find out how popular the first name Nan has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nan by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Nan is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nan.

The history of the first name Nan

The name Nan has its origins in various cultures and languages around the world. It is a diminutive form of longer names, often used as a nickname or term of endearment.

In English-speaking countries, Nan is a shortened version of names like Nancy, Anne, or Nanette. These names trace their roots back to the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor." The name Hannah appears in the Bible as the mother of the prophet Samuel.

In Chinese culture, Nan is a common unisex given name. It can be written with different Chinese characters, each with its own meaning. One variation is 南, which means "south." Another is 楠, which refers to a type of fragrant tree.

In Japanese, Nan is often a masculine name, though it can also be used for females. It can be written with various kanji characters, such as 南 (south), 納 (to pay, to accept), or 難 (difficult, trouble).

In the Middle Ages, Nan was used as a diminutive form of names like Annis, Annette, or Annora in parts of Europe. Historical records from this time period mention individuals with the name Nan, though they are relatively rare.

One notable historical figure named Nan was Nan Madol, a legendary chief who ruled over the ancient city of Nan Madol on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia. This city, known for its impressive stone architecture, is believed to have been constructed between the 8th and 13th centuries.

Another historical figure with the name Nan was Nan Huai-Chin (1918-2012), a renowned Chinese author and translator who played a significant role in introducing Chan (Zen) Buddhism to the West through his writings.

In the realm of literature, Nan appears as a character in the novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973). The character Nan is the wife of the protagonist Wang Lung.

The name Nan has also been used by various artists and public figures throughout history, such as Nan Goldin (born 1953), an American photographer known for her intimate and candid portrayal of LGBTQ+ subcultures, and Nan Britten (1924-2016), an American actress and singer.

These are just a few examples of historical figures and references associated with the name Nan, showcasing its diverse cultural origins and usage across different regions and time periods.

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 Nan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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