Lan
Every Lan since 1948 — 1,087 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lan
Lan is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1948, 1,087 American babies have been named Lan — about 71% girls and 29% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1981, when 62 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lan stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 8 | #9,372 |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,705 |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #13,357 |
| 2022 | — | — | 5 | #13,512 |
| 2021 | — | — | 6 | #11,564 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,928 | 6 | #11,576 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,037 | 8 | #9,303 |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #15,400 | 5 | #13,390 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,954 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #15,702 | — | — |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,995 | — | — |
| 2012 | 13 | #8,916 | — | — |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,908 | 5 | #13,512 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12,938 | — | — |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,559 | — | — |
| 2008 | 14 | #8,770 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,991 | 6 | #11,464 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,823 | — | — |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,342 | 6 | #10,788 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,915 | 7 | #9,235 |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,991 | 7 | #9,006 |
| 2001 | 11 | #9,093 | — | — |
| 2000 | 21 | #5,410 | 5 | #11,441 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,456 | 6 | #8,428 |
| 1990 | 24 | #4,172 | 5 | #8,920 |
| 1985 | 28 | #3,202 | 19 | #2,653 |
| 1980 | 32 | #2,833 | 5 | #6,817 |
| 1975 | 13 | #4,726 | 5 | #5,947 |
| 1970 | — | — | 8 | #3,693 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 7 | #3,354 |
| 1950 | — | — | 7 | #3,193 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lan in 2025?
Lan did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Lan?
1,087 babies have been named Lan in the United States since 1948, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lan most popular?
Lan peaked in 1981, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Lan a boy or girl name?
Lan is used for both: about 71% of babies named Lan have been girls and 29% boys.
Is the name Lan rising or falling?
Lan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.