Yan
Every Yan since 1971 — 1,085 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yan
Yan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,386 in 2025 with 58 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1971, 1,085 American babies have been named Yan — about 91% boys and 9% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2025, when 58 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Yan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yan 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 | — | — | 58 | #2,386 |
| 2024 | — | — | 44 | #2,909 |
| 2023 | — | — | 44 | #2,893 |
| 2022 | — | — | 28 | #3,989 |
| 2021 | — | — | 25 | #4,240 |
| 2020 | — | — | 25 | #4,135 |
| 2019 | — | — | 24 | #4,328 |
| 2018 | — | — | 34 | #3,371 |
| 2017 | 5 | #18,329 | 35 | #3,311 |
| 2016 | 6 | #16,144 | 30 | #3,678 |
| 2015 | 5 | #19,002 | 18 | #5,281 |
| 2014 | — | — | 29 | #3,689 |
| 2013 | — | — | 21 | #4,615 |
| 2012 | — | — | 24 | #4,245 |
| 2011 | — | — | 26 | #3,986 |
| 2010 | 5 | #19,715 | 27 | #3,891 |
| 2009 | — | — | 28 | #3,826 |
| 2008 | — | — | 26 | #4,040 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,875 | 28 | #3,791 |
| 2006 | 7 | #15,091 | 33 | #3,304 |
| 2005 | 5 | #19,099 | 29 | #3,446 |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,730 | 26 | #3,632 |
| 2003 | 7 | #13,796 | 27 | #3,441 |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,550 | 26 | #3,447 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,897 | 24 | #3,615 |
| 2000 | 11 | #9,147 | 12 | #5,903 |
| 1995 | — | — | 11 | #5,492 |
| 1990 | — | — | 12 | #4,665 |
| 1985 | — | — | 12 | #3,799 |
| 1980 | — | — | 13 | #3,429 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Yan
- Yan Hui Philosopher · -521–-490
- Yan Xishan Politician · 1883–1960
- Yan Fu Writer · 1854–1921
- Yan Liben Architect · 600–673
- Yan Gamarnik Politician · 1894–1937
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Yan in 2025?
Yan ranked #2,386 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 58 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Yan?
1,085 babies have been named Yan in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yan most popular?
Yan peaked in 2025, when 58 newborns received the name.
Is Yan a boy or girl name?
Yan is used for both: about 9% of babies named Yan have been girls and 91% boys.
Is the name Yan rising or falling?
Yan is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Yan?
Well-known people named Yan include Yan Hui (philosopher), Yan Xishan (politician), Yan Fu (writer).