Tan

English occupational name

"leather tanner"

Tan Origin and Meaning

The name Tan is a boy's name.

Tan is a succinct masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Chinese culture, it functions as a surname but can also be a given name meaning 'sandal wood' or 'flat, peaceful land.' In Vietnamese, Tân means 'new' or 'novel.' In English contexts, Tan might serve as a nickname for Tanner or Stanford, or stand alone as a distinctive minimal name. Its brevity gives it a modern, clean feel that aligns with contemporary preferences for short, impactful names. The simplicity of Tan—just one syllable and three letters—makes it easy to pronounce across languages and cultures. While uncommon as a standalone first name in Western countries, its multicultural associations and minimalist appeal make it an intriguing choice.

Famous People Named Tan

• Tan Ya ting, Chinese Taipei archer

The name Tan in Pop Culture

• Nekoette~Tan character in Aphmau's YouTube series