Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Kwan since 1969
Babies named Kwan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 133 |
| 1980s | 85 |
| 1990s | 130 |
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 66 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Kwan is an uncommon name in the United States, first recorded in 1969. It reached its peak popularity in 1975, but by 2025 it was given to only 1 in 244,011 boys, making it a rare choice. The name's trajectory has remained stable without significant revival. Its origins are likely Korean or Chinese, though the exact meaning is debated. Kwan is a concise, cross-cultural name that has maintained a quiet presence without breaking into mainstream lists.
Kwan is a name with multiple possible origins. In Korean, it could derive from the word for "strong" or be a transliteration of a Chinese character. It may also be a variant of the Chinese name Guan, which can mean "high official" or "gate." The name has seen modest use in the United States since the late 1960s, likely influenced by Korean and Chinese immigration.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Guan
Sibling names for Kwan
Names that share Kwan's style, for a brother or sister.
