安AnSurname
Ān
An (安) means 'peace' or 'tranquility' in Chinese. It represents a desire for a peaceful and harmonious life. The character conveys a sense of calm and stability.
Ān
Mainland China · Taiwan
Population Ranking
#108
Estimated Under 1 million people
Position among top 100 Chinese surnames
Geographic Distribution
Sichuan, Hebei, Shandong
Five Element Analysis
Water
wisdom, flexibility, and adaptability
Origin & History
The An surname has multiple origins. One origin traces back to the legendary Yellow Emperor, whose descendants were granted the state of An. Another source is from the Anxi (安息) kingdom, the Chinese name for Parthia, where immigrants adopted An as their surname.
Surname Evolution
The An surname has deep roots in Chinese history, tracing back over 2,000 years. Originating from the ancient commandery regions, the An clan established itself as a distinguished family during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Through centuries of migration and development, the An surname spread across China, with notable concentrations in Baoding area, Hebei. The clan produced scholars, officials, and military leaders who contributed significantly to Chinese civilization throughout the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Commandery
Zhongshan Commandery (中山郡) — Modern-day Baoding area, Hebei Province
Hall Title
永思堂 (An Clan)
Ancestral Hall
An Clan Ancestral Hall in Zhongshan — A traditional clan hall preserving the genealogical records and cultural heritage of the An family. The hall serves as a gathering place for clan descendants during traditional festivals such as Qingming and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Clan Motto & Family Tradition
忠孝传家，仁德继世 — Loyalty and filial piety pass through the family; benevolence and virtue continue.
Famous People with Surname An
An Lushan (安禄山) — Tang Dynasty general who led the An Lushan Rebellion
An Jie (安杰) — modern actress and model
An Yixuan (安以轩) — Taiwanese actress and singer
Tone Compatibility
An (Ān) is a neutral tone (neutral) surname. In Chinese naming, balanced tonal patterns create harmonious-sounding names.
Any balanced pattern
Example Names with An
Your An Family Legend
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What does the surname An mean in Chinese?
An (安) means 'peace' or 'tranquility' in Chinese. The character combines a roof (宀) and a woman (女) under it, symbolizing a peaceful home. It represents a desire for a harmonious and stable life, conveying calmness and security.
Where does the An surname originate from?
The An surname has multiple origins. One traces back to the legendary Yellow Emperor, whose descendant An (安) was granted a fief. Another origin is from the state of An (安) during the Zhou Dynasty. Additionally, some An families descend from the ancient Yuezhi people who migrated to China and adopted the surname. The name is also common among Chinese Muslims.
Who are some famous people with the surname An?
1. An Lushan (703–757), a general who led a catastrophic rebellion against the Tang Dynasty. 2. An Zijie (born 1972), a popular Chinese singer and actor known as 'Alec Su.' 3. An Yiru (born 1976), a Taiwanese actress and model known for her roles in idol dramas.
What given names go well with the surname An?
Given An's meaning of 'peace,' given names that evoke tranquility, virtue, or nature are ideal. Examples include 'An Jing' (安静) meaning 'quiet,' 'An Ning' (安宁) meaning 'serene,' or 'An Xin' (安心) meaning 'peace of mind.' These names reinforce the surname's positive and calming connotations.