Declining since 1985, #2,604 for boys today.
Popularity of Antwan since 1958
Babies named Antwan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 200 |
| 1970s | 2,197 |
| 1980s | 3,704 |
| 1990s | 2,478 |
| 2000s | 2,199 |
| 2010s | 1,358 |
| 2020s | 375 |
Meaning & origin
Antwan entered U.S. birth records in 1958, a time when many creative spellings of established names began to appear. Its popularity peaked in 1979, when the name saw its highest usage. Since around 1985, however, Antwan has been on a steady decline. Despite its rarity today (ranked 2,604 in 2025), it retains a distinct identity strongly associated with the 1970s. The name has been most common in Ohio, Georgia, and Florida, reflecting regional preferences. As a phonetic respelling of Antoine, it carries the same European heritage but with a distinctly American, modern flair.
Antwan is a modern American spelling variant of Antoine, the French form of Anthony. The name Anthony comes from the Latin Antonius, an ancient Roman family name of uncertain etymology, often associated with the Greek 'anthos' meaning flower, but more likely of Etruscan origin. Antwan emerged as a distinctive spelling in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly among African American communities, as a way to give the traditional name a unique phonetic spelling.
Where Antwan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ant, Twan, Wan
Sibling names for Antwan
Names that share Antwan's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Antwan
Names whose popularity has moved with Antwan's over the last 50 years.
