Holding steady.
Popularity of Tan since 1976
Babies named Tan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 202 |
| 1990s | 178 |
| 2000s | 120 |
| 2010s | 47 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Tan is a rare and brief given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1976. Its extreme rarity means it has never ranked in the top 1000, making it an unconventional choice for parents seeking a short, unusual name. The year 1985 saw minor attention, when the name reached its highest usage relative to other years, but the overall trajectory remains stable yet very low. Tan's lack of top states indicates it has not concentrated regionally. As a compact name that could be considered a modern coinage or a clipped form, it offers minimal historical baggage and maximal brevity.
Tan is likely a modern English diminutive or short form of names such as Tandy or Tancred, or possibly an independent coinage. It also appears as a surname from Chinese, but as a given name in English-speaking contexts it is rare and of obscure derivation.
Sibling names for Tan
Names that share Tan's style, for a brother or sister.
