Find out how popular the first name Zan has been for the last 48 years (from 1977 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zan by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Zan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Zan.

The history of the first name Zan

The name Zan has its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to ancient Iranian civilizations. It is believed to have derived from the old Persian word "zan," which means woman or lady. This name was commonly used in ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran, and surrounding regions where the Persian language and culture held sway.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zan can be found in the ancient Persian epic, the Shahnameh, written by the legendary poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In this epic, Zan is mentioned as a character, though it's unclear if it was used as a given name or a title.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Zan. One of the earliest was Zan Khanom, a 16th-century Persian princess and daughter of Shah Tahmasp I, who ruled the Safavid Empire from 1524 to 1576. Another notable figure was Zan Begum, a 17th-century Mughal princess who was the daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb and is known for her involvement in the court intrigues of the time.

In the realm of literature, Zan Khosh Goftar was a 13th-century Persian poet and calligrapher from the city of Shiraz. Her works were celebrated for their beautiful and intricate calligraphy, as well as their poetic content.

Moving into the modern era, Zan Bazen was a prominent Iranian artist and sculptor who lived from 1924 to 2008. Her works often explored themes of motherhood and femininity, and she is regarded as one of the most influential modern Iranian artists.

Another notable figure was Zan Yazdi, an Iranian writer and journalist who lived from 1935 to 2014. She was known for her outspoken advocacy for women's rights and her critical writings on social and political issues in Iran.

While the name Zan has Persian roots, it has also been adopted and used in other cultures and languages over time, though its origins can be traced back to the ancient Iranian civilizations and the Persian language.

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

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

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