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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Nan

Nan

♀ Girl

Pronounced NAN /ˈnæn/High

Meaning: A short form of Ann/Anne or Nancy, tracing to the Hebrew Hannah, 'grace; favor.' The N- came from the old habit of adding 'mine Ann' ('mine Nan'). A crisp, old-fashioned name.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp short name: Nan traces to Ann ('grace,' Hebrew), said 'NAN.' Vintage and warm.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningA short form of Ann/Anne or Nancy, tracing to the Hebrew Hannah, 'grace; favor.' The N- came from the old habit of adding 'mine Ann' ('mine Nan'). A crisp, old-fashioned name.
U.S. rank (2022)#14785 β†˜ Falling
2022 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1947
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 10,274

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 194718802022

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

Nan is a short form of Ann/Anne or Nancy, from the Hebrew Hannah, 'grace' (the N- grew from the old 'mine Ann' becoming 'mine Nan'). A tidy classic, it peaked in 1947 and faded as fuller names took over (said 'NAN').

Nan belonged to the postwar generation and is rare today. Rare, crisp, and vintage.

Did you know? Nan is a short form of Ann or Nancy ('grace'); it peaked around 1947 and has faded to rarity since.
Overall data confidence 55%
References β€” Nan β€” Short for Ann/Nancy; Hebrew 'grace'

Variations

NannNanaNanny

Nicknames

NanNannie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nan…

Nancyβ€” a name it shortens
Anneβ€” the root behind it
Nellβ€” a like crisp short name
Franβ€” a like one-beat vintage pick

Explore names like Nan

By themeshortvintagehebrew-rooted1940s

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nan mean?

Nan is a short form of Ann/Anne or Nancy, from the Hebrew for 'grace.'

How do you pronounce Nan?

It's said NAN /ˈnΓ¦n/ β€” one syllable.

Is Nan a boy or girl name?

Nan is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Nan?

Nan peaked in the late forties and is uncommon now.

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