Nanan
A surname of West African origin meaning "respected one" or "venerable person".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Nanan. That puts it at #73,666 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Nanan surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#73,666
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
263
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 263 bearers of the surname Nanan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 73666th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Nanan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 44.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (23.6%) and Two or More Races (16.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Nanan
The surname NANAN is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southern region of modern-day India and Sri Lanka. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "nana," which means "grandfather" or "elder." This suggests that the name may have been used as a term of respect or endearment for elders or ancestors in ancient times.
Historically, the NANAN surname has been found in various ancient texts and records from the region, including the Tamil literary works of the Sangam period (circa 300 BCE to 300 CE). Some scholars believe that the name may have been associated with certain families or clans in the region during this time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the NANAN surname can be traced back to the 8th century CE, when a scholar and poet named Nanan Pillai is mentioned in the Manimekhalai, a Tamil Buddhist epic. Pillai is a title that was often added to the names of respected scholars and learned individuals in ancient Tamil society.
In the 12th century, a renowned philosopher and scholar named Nanan Sivacharya lived in the Chola kingdom, located in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. Sivacharya was a prominent figure in the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism and is credited with writing several influential works on Shaivite philosophy and theology.
During the 16th century, a powerful ruler named Nanan Kon Aditha Nayaka governed the Madurai Nayak kingdom in southern India. Nayaka was a title used by feudal lords and chieftains in the region, indicating that the NANAN surname may have been associated with nobility or ruling classes at the time.
In Sri Lanka, the NANAN surname has been documented among the Tamil population since ancient times. One notable figure was Nanan Kumarakulasinghe, a 17th-century Tamil poet and scholar who authored several literary works, including the Nananvili, a collection of poems and prose.
While the NANAN surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world, primarily through migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and connection to the region's rich cultural heritage remain deeply embedded in its origins and evolution over centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Nanan
Among Census respondents with the surname Nanan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 44.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (23.6%) and Two or More Races (16.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Nanan bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Nanan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American44.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander23.6%
- Two or more races16.4%
- White10.7%
- Unknown or suppressed5.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Nanan surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #98,298 | #73,666 | 25.1% |
| Count | 171 | 263 | 53.8% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.09 | 50.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Nanan bearers went from 171 to 263 (+53.8% change). The surname moved up 24,632 positions in the national ranking, going from #98,298 to #73,666.
FAQ
Nanan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Nanan?
The surname Nanan holds position #73,666 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Nanan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Nanan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 44.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (23.6%) and Two or More Races (16.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.