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Name Lineage

    The first name Yuan

    A unisex name.

    2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Yuan last appeared in the official list in 2014, given to 5 boys. It peaked in 2010, with 7 births (#2,629).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    37
    babies named Yuan, 1996–2025
    #3,362
    rank in 2014
    2010
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Yuan with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Yuan at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 15 boys born in the United States were named Yuan, the 6,132nd most popular boys’ name that year.

    01020 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    212
    babies named Yuan since 1880
    #6,132
    rank in 2025
    2025
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Yuan

    13 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Ma Yuan
      Chinese painter from Song Dynasty (1160-1225)
    • Xiahou Yuan
      Chinese military general (died 219)
    • Zhang Yuan
      Chinese filmmaker (1963- )
    • Liu Yuan
      Emperor of Han Zhao dynasty from 304 to 310
    • Gongsun Yuan
      Chinese warlord and Cao Wei vassal and King of Yan (died 238)
    • Ruan Yuan
      Chinese historian, politician and writer (1764–1849)
    • Li Daoyuan
      Chinese geographer, writer, and politician during the Northern Wei dynasty, 401–527
    • Yuan Chang
      American virologist, born 1959
    • Liu Yuan
      General of the People's Liberation Army, son of former President Liu Shaoqi, born 1951
    • Yuan Yang
      British-Chinese political, journalist, born 1990
    • Emperor Gaozu of Tang
      Founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty (566-635) (r. 618–626)
    • Roy Wang
      Chinese singer-songwriter, television host and actor, born 2000

    Questions

    How popular is the name Yuan?
    In 2014, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Yuan, ranking 3,362nd. Its peak was 2010, with 7 births.
    Is Yuan a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 212 US babies named Yuan since 1880, 17% were girls and 83% boys.
    When was Yuan most popular?
    2025 in the United States, when 15 babies were named Yuan, its highest rank at 6,132nd.
    Is Yuan also a surname?
    Yes. Yuan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.