安
An
Pronounced like: "Ahn"
Other Spellings: Ahn, An, Ann, On, Ngān
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the An Family Name
L'histoire du nom de famille An est diverse et cosmopolite. Une source primaire est l'ancien État d'An dans l'actuel Shanxi pendant la période des Zhou occidentaux. Cependant, une lignée importante remonte à l'Empire arsacide (Parthie) dans l'ancienne Perse. Pendant la dynastie Han, le prince héritier parthe, connu en chinois sous le nom d'An Shigao, renonça à son trône pour devenir moine bouddhiste et s'installa en Chine, adoptant « An » comme nom de famille d'après « Anxi » (le nom chinois de la Parthie). Une autre source majeure provient du peuple sogdien d'Asie centrale, plus précisément des « Neuf noms de famille sogdiens » qui ont migré le long de la Route de la Soie. Sous la dynastie Tang, de nombreux groupes étrangers ont reçu ou adopté ce nom pour signifier leur assimilation dans la société chinoise.
What Does the Chinese Surname An Mean?
Le caractère 'An' (安) est un nom de famille chinois profond et auspicieux qui se traduit littéralement par « paix », « sécurité », « tranquillité » ou « contentement ». Visuellement, le caractère est un idéogramme composé représentant une femme (女) sous un toit (宀), symbolisant le fait qu'un foyer est stable et paisible lorsqu'une femme est présente ou lorsqu'on possède une demeure sûre. Au-delà de son sens littéral, il véhicule un état philosophique de stabilité et d'absence de perturbation. Dans la culture chinoise, il est souvent associé à d'autres caractères pour former des termes essentiels comme « ping'an » (sécurité). Il reflète une valeur culturelle profonde accordée à la stabilité et à l'harmonie de la sphère domestique comme fondement d'une société prospère.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of An
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Ahn | Korea |
| An | Vietnam |
| Ann | English-speaking countries |
| On | Cantonese |
| Ngān | Hakka |
Famous People With the Surname An
1. An Shigao (IIe siècle) : Un prince parthe qui abdiqua son trône pour devenir missionnaire bouddhiste en Chine, célèbre pour avoir traduit de nombreux sutras indiens en chinois.
2. An Lushan (703–757) : Un puissant général d'origine sogdienne et turque sous la dynastie Tang qui instigua la rébellion d'An Lushan, un événement pivot de l'histoire chinoise.
3. An Weijun (1854–1925) : Un éminent fonctionnaire et érudit de la dynastie Qing connu pour son franc-parler et son intégrité dans la critique de la corruption gouvernementale.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 安 surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.
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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname An (安) mean?+
The character 'An' (安) is a profound and auspicious Chinese surname that literally translates to 'peace', 'safety', 'tranquility', or 'contentment'. Visually, the character is a compound ideograph depicting a woman (女) under a roof (宀), symbolizing that a household is stable and peaceful when a woman is present or when one has a secure dwelling. Beyond its literal sense, it conveys a philosophical state of being settled and free from disturbance. In Chinese culture, it is often paired with other characters to form essential terms like 'ping'an' (safety) and 'anshin' (peace of mind). It reflects a deep-seated cultural value placed on stability and the harmony of the domestic sphere as the foundation for a prosperous society.
How common is the surname An?+
The surname An ranks approximately #110 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 安?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as An. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Ahn".
How many Chinese surnames are there?+
Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.
What are the most common Chinese last names?+
The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.
Are Chinese names written surname first?+
Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.
How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+
Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.
What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+
The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.
Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+
Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).
Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+
Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.
What is the oldest Chinese surname?+
The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.
Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+
Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.
How are Chinese last names inherited?+
A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.