"peace, tranquility"
Origin: Vietnamese/Chinese
Language: Vietnamese
An
Pronunciation: [ AN ]
Boy Name
#4,327 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
1 Syllable
A peaceful one-syllable name across Asia
Vietnamese
Chinese
Korean
Minimalist
Traditional
Gentle
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"safe, secure"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
Browse names with similar meanings:
The Story of An
An is a short, powerful Vietnamese and Chinese name meaning 'peace' or 'tranquility.' In Vietnamese, An (安) carries the meaning of safety and calm. In Chinese culture, the character 安 is one of the most auspicious characters, representing harmony and security. It is used as both a standalone name and a component in longer compound names across East and Southeast Asian cultures.
An remains a common given name in Vietnam, where single-syllable names are traditional and prized for their simplicity. In Western countries, it has gained modest use as a distinctive, easy-to-pronounce multicultural name.
In Confucian philosophy, 安 (peace/tranquility) is a deeply valued virtue. The name reflects a family's wish for a child's peaceful and secure life. In Vietnamese naming tradition, short names like An are considered elegant and strong.
Fun Facts
- The character 安 appears in thousands of Asian place names meaning 'peaceful settlement'
- An is one of the shortest names used across multiple Asian cultures
- In Chinese, 安 is often combined with other characters to form names like Anning (peaceful) or Anqi
An in Other Languages
Korean
안
Chinese
安
English
An
Japanese
アン
Vietnamese
An
Popularity Over Time
#4,327
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named An
A
An Jung-hwan
Athlete
1976
South Korean football (soccer) player and national hero
A
An Lushan
Military
703
Tang dynasty military commander who led the An Lushan Rebellion, a pivotal moment in Chinese history
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,327
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Vietnamese Chinese Korean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Chinese heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how An fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
An is also used as a girl name, ranked #4453.
View An as a girl name →Similar Names
Compare An with...
Same Origin Names (Vietnamese)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with An and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how An sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About An
What does the name An mean?
"peace, tranquility" (from Vietnamese/Chinese). "safe, secure" (from Chinese). An is a short, powerful Vietnamese and Chinese name meaning 'peace' or 'tranquility.' In Vietnamese, An (安) carries the meaning of safety and calm. In Chinese culture, the character 安 is one of the most auspicious characters, representing harmony and security. It is used as both a standalone name and a component in longer compound names across East and Southeast Asian cultures.
What is the origin of the name An?
An has Vietnamese/Chinese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean origins. In Vietnamese/Chinese, it means "peace, tranquility". In Chinese, it means "safe, secure".
Is An a boy or girl name?
An is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4327. As a girl name, it is ranked #4453. An is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce An?
An is pronounced AN.
How popular is the name An?
An is currently ranked #4327 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for An?
Popular middle name pairings include An Joseph, An Michael, An David, An James, and An Lee.
What are good sibling names for An?
Names that pair well with An as siblings include Linh, Bao, Nam, Mai, Minh, and Lan.
How many syllables does An have?
An has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is An a common or rare name?
An is an uncommon name, ranked #4327 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name An
An is a boy name with Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean origins . The name means "peace, tranquility" in Vietnamese/Chinese .
Is An a boy or girl name? An is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,327 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,453. An is more commonly used as a boy name.
An is currently ranked #4,327 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name An has 1 syllable and is pronounced AN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of An include Anthony, Angel, Andrew, Antonio, Andres . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.