An Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Ahn /ɑn/
Origin: Chinese; Vietnamese
Meaning: Chinese: peace; Vietnamese: graceful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name An has roots in various linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Chinese character "安," which means "peace" or "safe." In this context, it is often used as a given name for girls in Chinese-speaking cultures. The character has been used in China for centuries, with its earliest occurrences found in texts dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE).
The name An can also be linked to other cultures, such as Vietnamese, where it similarly conveys meanings associated with peace and tranquility, reflecting the shared cultural values in East Asian societies. Historically, the name An has been borne by various notable figures, particularly in Chinese history.
For instance, during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the character became popular in names, often reflecting the ideals of harmony and stability that were highly valued during this period. Additionally, the name has been associated with several historical figures in literature and folklore, contributing to its cultural significance.
In Vietnamese history, the name An has been used in various dynasties, symbolizing the hope for a peaceful and prosperous life. Culturally, the name An resonates with themes of serenity and safety, making it a favored choice among parents who wish to impart these qualities to their children.
The name is often used in combination with other characters to create compound names that enhance its meaning, such as "An Mei" (meaning "peaceful plum blossom") in Chinese. This tradition of combining names reflects a broader cultural practice of imbuing names with positive attributes and aspirations.
The enduring appeal of the name An across different cultures underscores its significance as a symbol of peace and well-being.
Fictional characters named An
The following list of fictional characters named An is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
An is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Attack on Titan. They are a member of the Survey Corps and play a crucial role in the fight against the Titans.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with An, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with An. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name An was first seen in the United States in 1946.
An has ranked as high as #4351 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name An has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name An is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when An was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for An.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | 25 | 36 |
| 2024 | 56 | 24 | 32 |
| 2023 | 62 | 22 | 40 |
| 2022 | 54 | 21 | 33 |
| 2021 | 42 | 18 | 24 |
| 2020 | 61 | 26 | 35 |
| 2019 | 59 | 28 | 31 |
| 2018 | 71 | 30 | 41 |
| 2017 | 59 | 29 | 30 |
| 2016 | 73 | 27 | 46 |
| 2015 | 71 | 24 | 47 |
| 2014 | 65 | 32 | 33 |
| 2013 | 59 | 26 | 33 |
| 2012 | 47 | 17 | 30 |
| 2011 | 51 | 23 | 28 |
| 2010 | 63 | 16 | 47 |
| 2009 | 45 | 16 | 29 |
| 2008 | 47 | 18 | 29 |
| 2007 | 58 | 26 | 32 |
| 2006 | 40 | 17 | 23 |
| 2005 | 55 | 26 | 29 |
| 2004 | 58 | 21 | 37 |
| 2003 | 56 | 26 | 30 |
| 2002 | 45 | 24 | 21 |
| 2001 | 41 | 17 | 24 |
| 2000 | 48 | 24 | 24 |
| 1999 | 49 | 16 | 33 |
| 1998 | 51 | 29 | 22 |
| 1997 | 52 | 32 | 20 |
| 1996 | 46 | 24 | 22 |
| 1995 | 43 | 23 | 20 |
| 1994 | 50 | 29 | 21 |
| 1993 | 51 | 23 | 28 |
| 1992 | 59 | 28 | 31 |
| 1991 | 55 | 24 | 31 |
| 1990 | 39 | 21 | 18 |
| 1989 | 47 | 21 | 26 |
| 1988 | 46 | 25 | 21 |
| 1987 | 49 | 25 | 24 |
| 1986 | 42 | 23 | 19 |
| 1985 | 52 | 29 | 23 |
| 1984 | 48 | 25 | 23 |
| 1983 | 47 | 25 | 22 |
| 1982 | 39 | 24 | 15 |
| 1981 | 32 | 16 | 16 |
| 1980 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 1979 | 23 | 15 | 8 |
| 1978 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 1977 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
| 1976 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 1975 | 19 | 7 | 12 |
| 1969 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1960 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1959 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1958 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1957 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1955 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1951 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1946 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for An (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 14 | |
| WA | 5 |