Find out how popular the first name Ruan has been for the last 42 years (from 1983 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ruan by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Ruan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ruan.

The history of the first name Ruan

The given name Ruan has its origins in the Chinese language, with its earliest recorded use dating back to ancient times. The name is derived from the Chinese word "ruan," which means "soft" or "gentle." It is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive term, perhaps referring to the gentle nature or disposition of the person bearing the name.

In ancient Chinese literature, the name Ruan can be found in various texts and historical records. One notable mention is in the Shiji, also known as the Records of the Grand Historian, written by the Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian around 109 BC. The text mentions a person named Ruan Xian, who was a renowned scholar and philosopher during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD).

Another early recorded instance of the name Ruan is found in the Hou Han Shu, a historical text from the 5th century AD that chronicles the Eastern Han Dynasty. The text mentions a scholar and official named Ruan Yu, who lived during the 2nd century AD and was known for his expertise in the Confucian classics.

Throughout Chinese history, several notable figures have borne the name Ruan. One prominent example is Ruan Ji (210-263 AD), a celebrated poet and calligrapher of the Three Kingdoms period. His works, including the famous "Rhapsody on the Zither," have been widely studied and admired over the centuries.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the name Ruan was associated with Ruan Xiaoxu, a renowned poet and literary scholar who lived from 815 to 888 AD. His contributions to Chinese literature and literary criticism were highly influential during his time and beyond.

Another notable figure was Ruan Yuan (1764-1849), a Qing Dynasty scholar and poet known for his mastery of the classical Chinese language and his contributions to the study of ancient texts.

While the name Ruan has its roots in ancient China, it has also been adopted and used in other cultures and languages over time. However, its origins and earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the rich cultural and historical heritage of China.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!