"peace, tranquility"
Origin: Vietnamese/Chinese
Language: Vietnamese
An
Pronunciation: [ AN ]
Does An flow with your last name?
A peaceful one-syllable name across Asia
Vietnamese
Chinese
Korean
Minimalist
Traditional
Gentle
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"safe, secure"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
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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.
Historical Record
An first appeared in US Social Security records in 1975.
Over 1,101 babies have been named An in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, An is past its peak , currently ranked #4,327 for boy names in the US .
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
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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See all →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
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for An
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like An
Phonetic neighbors that share An's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
An is also used as a girl name, ranked #4453.
View An as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare An with...
Same Origin Names (Vietnamese)
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis