Tan

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.

Tan is also given to girls.

Pronounced TAN.

As of October 2026, Tan ranked #9637 for boys in US births in 2019 and #10245 for girls in US births in 1980 SSA, peaked at #2010 for boys in 1985.