Find out how popular the first name Yan has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yan by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Yan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Yan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 44 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yan.

The history of the first name Yan

The name Yan has its origins in various cultures and languages across the world. It is a name that has been in use for centuries, with varying spellings and meanings.

In Chinese, the name Yan can be written as 燕, which means "swallow" or "graceful". It is a popular name in China and has been used since ancient times. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Yan can be found in the historical records of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).

In Hebrew, the name Yan is derived from the word "Yonatan", which means "gift of God". It has been used as a diminutive form of the name Jonathan. The name Yan has been mentioned in various Jewish religious texts and scriptures.

In Sanskrit, the name Yan is a variant of the name Ayan, which means "path" or "journey". It has been used in Indian culture for centuries and has been mentioned in ancient Hindu texts.

In Japanese, the name Yan is a variant of the name Yuki, which means "snow" or "happiness". It has been used in Japan for generations and has been mentioned in various historical records and literature.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Yan. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Yan Zhitui (531-591), a Chinese scholar and writer during the Northern Qi Dynasty. Another notable figure was Yan Fu (1854-1921), a Chinese scholar and translator who played a significant role in the introduction of Western ideas to China.

In the realm of religion, Yan Huguo (1551-1624) was a prominent Chinese Buddhist monk and calligrapher during the Ming Dynasty. In the field of science, Yan Yuan (1635-1704) was a Chinese mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of mathematics and astronomy.

Yan Xishan (1883-1960) was a Chinese warlord and politician who played a crucial role in the political landscape of China during the early 20th century.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals with the name Yan throughout history, showcasing the diverse cultural and linguistic origins of this name, as well as its enduring presence across various disciplines and eras.

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

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

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