UK boy's name
Tan
A masculine Vietnamese name, derived from the Chinese surname meaning "cultivated".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2010. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Tan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tan ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Tan.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Tan mean?
The given name Tan has its roots in various cultures and languages around the world, each with its own unique meaning and historical significance.
In Chinese, the name Tan is a surname that can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC). It is derived from the word "tan," which means "to negotiate" or "to discuss." This surname was often associated with scholars and officials who excelled in diplomacy and negotiation.
In Sanskrit, the name Tan is derived from the word "tanu," which means "body" or "self." It has been used as a masculine name in Hindu cultures for centuries, often associated with strength, vigor, and physical prowess.
In Turkish, the name Tan is believed to have its origins in the word "tan," meaning "dawn" or "daybreak." It was a popular name among the Turkic peoples, symbolizing the start of a new day and the beginning of new opportunities.
Historically, the name Tan has been associated with various notable figures across different cultures. In ancient China, Tan Bing (c. 456-428 BC) was a renowned military strategist and philosopher during the Warring States period. His teachings on military tactics and strategy were highly influential in shaping Chinese military thought.
In Hindu mythology, Tan'un was the name of a celestial being, often depicted as a celestial musician or singer in the court of the gods.
During the Renaissance period, Tan'ym ibn Ibrahim al-Lakhmi (c. 638-700 AD) was an Arab poet and scholar from present-day Iraq. His works were widely celebrated for their eloquence and depth, and he was considered one of the most influential poets of his time.
In the 19th century, Tan Tock Seng (1798-1850) was a prominent Singaporean philanthropist and businessman. He made significant contributions to the development of Singapore and is remembered for founding the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which continues to serve the community today.
More recently, Tan Dun (born 1957) is a renowned Chinese contemporary classical composer and conductor. He is best known for his scores for films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero," which have earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Grammy Award.
These are just a few examples of the rich history and cultural significance associated with the given name Tan across various regions and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tan over time
The chart below shows babies named Tan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tan, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tan
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Tan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tan in the UK right now?
In 2010, Tan was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Tan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tan?
A masculine Vietnamese name, derived from the Chinese surname meaning "cultivated".
How many people are called Tan in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Tan across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.