The name "An" is of Irish origin and means "grace." It is derived from the Irish word "aon," which translates to "one." The name An was popularized by the famous Irish poet and playwright, Seán O'Casey, who named his daughter An in the 1920s. However, it was not until recent years that the name gained widespread popularity outside of Ireland. Today, An is considered a unique and elegant choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
The name An has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. From 1946 to 2023, there have been a total of 1325 babies named An born in the U.S.
In the early years recorded, from 1946 to 1970, the name's popularity was relatively low, with fewer than 10 births per year. However, starting in the mid-1970s, there was a noticeable increase in its usage, with numbers ranging from 8 to 22 births annually between 1975 and 1986.
The name An reached its peak popularity in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with over 30 births per year every year from 1987 to 1994. This period also saw some of the highest numbers of babies named An, with peaks of 33 births in 1992 and again in 1996.
After the mid-1990s, the popularity of the name An seemed to fluctuate, with numbers ranging from a low of 18 births in 1990 to a high of 47 births in 2010. Despite these fluctuations, the name has remained steadily popular, with at least 20 babies named An born each year since 1995.
In recent years, the popularity of the name An has continued to be consistent, with numbers ranging from 23 to 40 births annually between 2015 and 2023. This demonstrates that while its popularity may have peaked in the past, the name An remains a well-liked choice among parents in the United States today.