"peace, safety"
Origin: Vietnamese
Language: Vietnamese
An
Pronunciation: [ AN ]
Does An flow with your last name?
Simple, peaceful — a timeless East Asian classic
Vietnamese
Chinese
Korean
Japanese
Minimalist
Elegant
Traditional
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"tranquility, stability"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of An
An is a classic Vietnamese and Chinese name rooted in the character 安 (ān/an), meaning peace, safety, and tranquility. In Vietnamese it carries the wish that a child's life will be peaceful and free from hardship. The character 安 appears in thousands of Asian place names, compound names, and proverbs across East and Southeast Asia, making this one of the most culturally universal names in the region.
An remains a common traditional name in Vietnam and among Vietnamese diaspora communities worldwide. Its simplicity — one syllable, one clear meaning — has kept it relevant and beloved across generations, even as longer compound names have grown popular.
The character 安 is one of the most auspicious in East Asian cultures, representing the deepest parental hope: that a child will be safe and live in peace. It appears in names across Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea, crossing linguistic families while carrying the same essential meaning.
Historical Record
An first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,351 babies have been named An in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, An is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,453 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- An is one of the most common given names in Vietnam
- The character 安 means peace in Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese
- An appears in hundreds of compound names across East and Southeast Asia
An in Other Languages
Korean
안
Chinese
安 (ān)
Japanese
安 (あん)
Vietnamese
An (安)
Popularity Over Time
#4,453
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named An
A
An Na
Writer
1972
Korean American author of A Step From Heaven, winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for young adult fiction
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,453
- Total SSA Count
- 32
- Cultural Origins
- Vietnamese Chinese Korean Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Chinese heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for An
6 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 Boy Name
An is also used as a boy name, ranked #4327.
View An as a boy 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, safety" (from Vietnamese). "tranquility, stability" (from Chinese). An is a classic Vietnamese and Chinese name rooted in the character 安 (ān/an), meaning peace, safety, and tranquility. In Vietnamese it carries the wish that a child's life will be peaceful and free from hardship. The character 安 appears in thousands of Asian place names, compound names, and proverbs across East and Southeast Asia, making this one of the most culturally universal names in the region.
What is the origin of the name An?
An has Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese origins. In Vietnamese, it means "peace, safety". In Chinese, it means "tranquility, stability".
Is An a boy or girl name?
An is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4453. As a boy name, it is ranked #4327. 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 #4453 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for An?
Popular middle name pairings include An Marie, An Thu, An Linh, An Bich, An Phuong, and An Lan.
What are good sibling names for An?
Names that pair well with An as siblings include Lan, Minh, Hoa, Tuyen, Nam, and Duc.
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 #4453 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name An
An is a girl name with Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese origins . The name means "peace, safety" in Vietnamese .
Is An a boy or girl name? An is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,453 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,327. An is more commonly used as a boy name.
An is currently ranked #4,453 in popularity for girl 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 Anna, Anastasia, Andrea, Annie, Ana . 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