Han Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Hahn /hɑːn/
Origin: Chinese; Korean
Meaning: Chinese: 'cold'; Korean: 'the one who is great'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Han has its roots in various linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Chinese character "汉" (Hàn), which refers to the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), a significant period in Chinese history noted for its cultural and technological advancements. The term "Han" itself is believed to originate from the name of the Han River, which flows through central China.
The character has been adopted in various contexts, including as a surname and given name, and has been transliterated into other languages, including Korean and Japanese, where it retains similar meanings or associations. Historically, the Han dynasty is often regarded as a golden age in Chinese civilization, marked by the consolidation of the imperial structure and the promotion of Confucian ideals.
The dynasty's influence extended beyond its political achievements; it also saw the development of the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange between East and West. The significance of the Han dynasty is reflected in the term "Han Chinese," which denotes the ethnic majority in China today, and the legacy of the dynasty continues to be a point of reference in Chinese history and culture.
In addition to its historical roots, the name Han carries cultural resonance in various East Asian societies. In Chinese culture, names are often imbued with meanings that reflect virtues, aspirations, or familial connections.
The name Han may symbolize strength and resilience, qualities associated with the historical dynasty. In other cultures, such as Korean, Han can also refer to a deep-seated feeling of grief or resentment, showcasing the name's multifaceted significance across different contexts.
The name has also been adapted into various diminutive forms, such as Hanny, which may be used in familial or affectionate settings.
Famous people named Han
In this section, you will find notable people named Han. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Han who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Han who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Han Solo is a fictional character best known for Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.
Han Zhang is a Chinese actor best known for his roles in My Love from the Star, The King's Avatar, and The Eternal Love.
Fictional characters named Han
The following list of fictional characters named Han 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.
Han Solo is a fictional character from the Star Wars franchise. He is a skilled pilot and smuggler who becomes a key leader in the Rebel Alliance.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Han, 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 Han. 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 Han was first seen in the United States in 1968.
Han has ranked as high as #5899 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Han has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Han 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 Han 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 Han.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 | 18 | 9 |
| 2024 | 33 | 22 | 11 |
| 2023 | 37 | 27 | 10 |
| 2022 | 41 | 30 | 11 |
| 2021 | 35 | 28 | 7 |
| 2020 | 36 | 22 | 14 |
| 2019 | 45 | 26 | 19 |
| 2018 | 46 | 30 | 16 |
| 2017 | 46 | 29 | 17 |
| 2016 | 31 | 19 | 12 |
| 2015 | 41 | 22 | 19 |
| 2014 | 33 | 20 | 13 |
| 2013 | 32 | 13 | 19 |
| 2012 | 35 | 15 | 20 |
| 2011 | 31 | 21 | 10 |
| 2010 | 23 | 9 | 14 |
| 2009 | 27 | 11 | 16 |
| 2008 | 22 | 11 | 11 |
| 2007 | 37 | 14 | 23 |
| 2006 | 34 | 17 | 17 |
| 2005 | 27 | 14 | 13 |
| 2004 | 25 | 12 | 13 |
| 2003 | 35 | 10 | 25 |
| 2002 | 33 | 18 | 15 |
| 2001 | 20 | 9 | 11 |
| 2000 | 30 | 11 | 19 |
| 1999 | 29 | 7 | 22 |
| 1998 | 31 | 10 | 21 |
| 1997 | 29 | 12 | 17 |
| 1996 | 25 | 9 | 16 |
| 1995 | 31 | 13 | 18 |
| 1994 | 32 | 14 | 18 |
| 1993 | 29 | 15 | 14 |
| 1992 | 26 | 15 | 11 |
| 1991 | 26 | 14 | 12 |
| 1990 | 23 | 15 | 8 |
| 1989 | 26 | 12 | 14 |
| 1988 | 20 | 13 | 7 |
| 1987 | 15 | 8 | 7 |
| 1986 | 20 | 11 | 9 |
| 1985 | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| 1984 | 21 | 12 | 9 |
| 1983 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 1982 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 1981 | 23 | 13 | 10 |
| 1980 | 24 | 13 | 11 |
| 1979 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| 1976 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1969 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Han (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 | 7 | |
| FL | 5 |