安
Ān
Peace
Meaning & Cultural Context
A single character meaning 'peace/safety'. The simplest wish for a good life.
📖Cultural Background
安 (ān) is one of the most beloved characters in Chinese names, embodying the universal wish for peace, safety, and tranquility. It appears in countless idioms like '安居乐业' (live in peace and work happily) and '平安' (safe and sound). Historically, it was used in the names of emperors and commoners alike, reflecting a core value in Chinese culture: stability and harmony. As a single-character name, it is elegant and timeless, suitable for both genders. It is often chosen for children born during turbulent times or as a blessing for a calm life. In fiction, characters named '安' are typically gentle, kind, or peacemakers.
Comprehensive Name Score
Name Score
Solid name with decent cultural and phonetic attributes.
Solid name with decent cultural and phonetic attributes.
Solid name with decent cultural and phonetic attributes.
Solid name with decent cultural and phonetic attributes.
Solid name with decent cultural and phonetic attributes.
Classical Poetry References
This name carries echoes of classical Chinese poetry:
「安得广厦千万间，大庇天下寒士俱欢颜」
How can I obtain ten thousand spacious mansions to shelter all the poor scholars of the world and bring them joy
— Du Fu, 'Song of My Thatched Roof Ruined by the Autumn Wind'
How can one obtain thousands of spacious rooms to shelter all the impoverished scholars of the world — Du Fu's compassionate heart for all people.
「此心安处是吾乡」
Wherever this heart finds peace, there is my homeland
— Su Shi, 'Calming the Waves'
Where the heart finds peace is home — the highest state of open-mindedness in life.
「春风又绿江南岸，明月何时照我还」
The spring breeze has greened the southern banks again; when will the bright moon light my journey home
— Wang Anshi, 'Moored at Guazhou'
Though the poem lacks the character '安' (peace), '还' (return) carries the meaning of returning to peace
The spring wind greens the south bank once more — when will the bright moon guide me home to reunite with family?
「岁岁平安，年年如意」
Peace year after year, wishes fulfilled season after season
— Chinese Traditional Blessing
Peace every year, and may all wishes come true — the most heartfelt and simple blessing.
「国安则民安，民安则国泰」
When the nation is at peace, the people are at peace; when the people are at peace, the nation prospers
— Chinese Traditional Philosophy
Only when the nation is stable can people live and work in peace; only when people are settled can the nation prosper.
Character Evolution
Explore how each character evolved over 3000+ years of Chinese writing history.
In oracle bone script,「安」is vividly pictographic — under a roof (宀), a woman (女) kneels inside, meaning having a home to return to, safe and at peace.
In bronze script,「安」continues the「宀+女」structure with more regularized forms, emphasizing the original meaning that 'a woman at home means peace.' Spring and Autumn period bronzes already use the terms 'national security' and 'peace.'
In seal script,「安」became further standardized —「宀」above like a sheltering roof,「女」below kneeling gracefully, signifying a stable, peaceful life. Xu Shen's 'Shuowen Jiezi' explains: 'An means tranquility — a woman under a roof.'
From oracle bone script over 3,000 years ago to modern simplified Chinese,「安」has maintained the stable structure of「宀+女」— a woman in a house represents home and peace of mind. It is one of the rare Chinese characters whose form has remained virtually unchanged for millennia.
▶Calligraphy Styles
In regular script,「安」is narrow at top and wide at bottom, with the 'roof' radical elegantly spread — as seen in Ouyang Xun's dignified brushwork in the 'Jiucheng Palace' stele.
In running script, the 'roof' radical and「女」component of「安」flow into each other — fluid yet composed. Mi Fu's running-script「安」reveals exceptional skill.
In cursive script,「安」is reduced to the barest strokes — the「女」component becomes a single arc, as seen in Sun Guoting's 'Treatise on Calligraphy.'
In clerical script,「安」displays prominent 'silkworm head and swallow tail' strokes with a horizontal momentum, as in the graceful brushwork of the 'Cao Quan' stele.
In seal script,「安」is symmetrically elegant — the roof above like a canopy, the woman below as if seated quietly — embodying the mysterious beauty of ancient script.
When to Use This Name
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chinese name 安 (Ān) mean?
安 (Ān) means "Peace" in Chinese. A single character meaning 'peace/safety'. The simplest wish for a good life.
How do you pronounce 安 in Chinese?
安 is pronounced "Ān" in Mandarin Chinese. Practice each syllable's tone carefully for accurate pronunciation.
When should I use the name 安?
安 is a versatile Chinese name suitable for gaming usernames, social media profiles, language learning, and creative writing.
Zodiac Compatibility
Check which zodiac signs pair well with this name based on character radicals.
Name Variations
Creative variations based on this name:
安安
Ān ān
+安
安福
Ān fú
+福
安然
Ān rán
+然
Name Wallpaper
Download a beautiful wallpaper with this name in artistic calligraphy style.