San: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: s-ahn
Origin: Japan
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Jun 12, 2025 · 1 min read
Region Origin: East Asia
Meaning: San symbolizes 'respect'.

The name "San" has a rich history and diverse origins. It is derived from various languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. In Spanish, "San" is a common prefix for saints' names, such as San Juan (St. John). In Chinese, "San" can mean "three" and is often used in place names like San Francisco. In Japanese, "San" is a polite suffix used to address someone with respect, similar to "Mr." or "Ms." The use of the name "San" has evolved over time, reflecting cultural and linguistic changes. It is important because it symbolizes respect, tradition, and cultural heritage in different contexts.

San Name Popularity Data

chat-overall San is currently #24914 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: San is currently #10697 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Unique: San is currently #12872 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: San is currently #5584 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names
chat-overall Australian: San is currently #12263 on Kiindred Australian Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Source: Social Security Administration

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Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births, Social Security Administration

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