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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lan

Lan

♂ Boy

Pronounced LAHN /ˈlɑn/Medium

Meaning: From the Vietnamese/Chinese lan, 'an orchid' (a symbol of refinement and beauty); used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: An orchid: Lan is Vietnamese/Chinese. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'LAHN'). Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowVietnamese, Chinese
MeaningFrom the Vietnamese/Chinese lan, 'an orchid' (a symbol of refinement and beauty); used for both sexes; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#9372 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1981
Total births (all-time)≈ 318

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198519482025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lan comes from the Vietnamese/Chinese lan, 'an orchid' (a symbol of refinement and beauty); used for both sexes (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (here for a boy; slug distinguished; said 'LAHN').

In the U.S. it appears in Vietnamese and Chinese families. Rare, an-orchid at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Lan means 'an orchid' in Vietnamese and Chinese (a symbol of refinement and beauty) — a crisp, classic name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'LAHN').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Lan — unisex; routes layered

Variations

LannLahn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Lan…

Minh— a fellow Vietnamese boys' name
Quan— a sound-neighbor Vietnamese boys' name
Ren— a fellow Chinese choice
Sun— echoes that soft -n sound
An— echoes that soft -n sound

Explore names like Lan

By themeuncertainunisexchinesevietnamese

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lan mean?

Lan is Vietnamese/Chinese for 'an orchid'; used for both sexes; here for a boy. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Lan?

It's said LAHN /ˈlɑn/ — one syllable.

Is Lan a boy or girl name?

Lan is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Lan?

Lan is a very rare name in the U.S.

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