Chan
Every Chan since 1919 — 1,247 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chan
Chan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,885 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1919, 1,247 American babies have been named Chan — about 83% boys and 17% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1982, when 38 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 7 | #9,885 |
| 2024 | — | — | 6 | #11,186 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 8 | #9,144 |
| 2021 | — | — | 5 | #12,473 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 8 | #9,045 |
| 2018 | — | — | 11 | #7,213 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,179 |
| 2016 | — | — | 13 | #6,423 |
| 2015 | — | — | 6 | #10,913 |
| 2014 | — | — | 7 | #9,823 |
| 2013 | — | — | 8 | #8,934 |
| 2012 | — | — | 7 | #9,886 |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #9,793 |
| 2010 | — | — | 6 | #10,988 |
| 2009 | — | — | 8 | #9,124 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 11 | #7,177 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #10,894 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #7,737 |
| 2004 | — | — | 13 | #5,865 |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,252 | 16 | #4,851 |
| 2002 | — | — | 12 | #5,782 |
| 2001 | — | — | 17 | #4,508 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,036 | 11 | #5,976 |
| 1995 | — | — | 12 | #4,836 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,393 | 21 | #2,973 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,084 | 22 | #2,365 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,263 | 16 | #2,850 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9,280 | 17 | #2,458 |
| 1970 | — | — | 23 | #1,854 |
| 1965 | — | — | 20 | #1,779 |
| 1960 | — | — | 8 | #3,129 |
| 1955 | — | — | 18 | #1,853 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,560 |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Chan
- Chan Santokhi Politician · b. 1959
- Chan Chin-wei Tennis player · b. 1985
- Chan Hao-ching Tennis player · b. 1993
- Chan Yuen Ting Soccer player · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Chan in 2025?
Chan ranked #9,885 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chan?
1,247 babies have been named Chan in the United States since 1919, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chan most popular?
Chan peaked in 1982, when 38 newborns received the name.
Is Chan a boy or girl name?
Chan is used for both: about 17% of babies named Chan have been girls and 83% boys.
Is the name Chan rising or falling?
Chan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chan?
Well-known people named Chan include Chan Santokhi (politician), Chan Chin-wei (tennis player), Chan Hao-ching (tennis player).