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Home › Baby Names Directory › Renan

Renan

♂ Boy

Pronounced reh-NAHN /rɛˈnɑn/Medium

Meaning: A name used in several cultures, variously Breton ('a little seal', from a saint's name) and Hebrew ('joyful; one who sings/rejoices', from ranan); routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A little seal; joyful song: Renan is Breton/Hebrew. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'reh-NAHN').
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Origin LowBreton, Hebrew
MeaningA name used in several cultures, variously Breton ('a little seal', from a saint's name) and Hebrew ('joyful; one who sings/rejoices', from ranan); routes uncertain
U.S. rank (2025)#6076 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 406

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200019682025

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

Renan is a name used in several cultures, variously Breton ('a little seal', from a saint's name) and Hebrew ('joyful; one who sings/rejoices', from ranan; routes uncertain, which we note). A lyrical, classic name (said 'reh-NAHN').

In the U.S. it appears in Brazilian and French families. Rare, a-little-seal-and-joyful-song at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Renan is used in several cultures, variously Breton ('a little seal') and Hebrew ('joyful; one who sings', from ranan) — a lyrical, classic name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'reh-NAHN').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Renan — routes uncertain

Variations

RenannRonan

Nicknames

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If you like Renan…

Ronan— a sound-neighbor -nan boys' name
Renato— a fellow Ren- Romance boys' name
Allan— a similarly popular pick
Ivaan— echoes that soft -an sound
Canaan— echoes that soft -an sound

Explore names like Renan

By themeuncertainhebrewbreton
By meaningJoy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Renan mean?

Renan is variously Breton ('a little seal') and Hebrew ('joyful; one who sings'); the routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Renan?

It's said reh-NAHN /rɛˈnɑn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Renan a boy or girl name?

Renan is a boy's name.

How popular is Renan?

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

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