[name_u]Chan[/name_u] is the latest Cambodian origin name I have discovered here on Nameberry. I searched it wondering if it was a real first name actually used in the U.S. Turns out it is a unisex name! Pretty uncommon, but still.
Whenever I hear [name_u]Chan[/name_u] I think of a last name heard in Japan and the name doesn’t have any bad associations that come with it (as far as I know). Plus, the name actually has a very sweet meaning to it: sweet smelling tree! I just think it’s so cute sounding, and the spelling is just how it sounds and not too long, but it kind of sounds like a nickname for something. I’m not sure what. . . . Does anyone know any girl/unisex names where [name_u]Chan[/name_u] can be used for a nickname that makes sense? If you do, I would really like to hear them.
[name_u]Chan[/name_u] is kind of like the name [name_f]Grace[/name_f] though: I don’t know many good middle names besides something like [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] (too common as a middle name) to go with it . . . . So if anyone has suggestions that would be great!
Famous people relating to the name [name_u]Chan[/name_u] include singer [name_u]Chan[/name_u] [name_m]Marshall[/name_m], also known as [name_f]Cat[/name_f] [name_m]Power[/name_m] (and born [name_f]Charlyn[/name_f]). <----- Took that from Chan - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity for a Girl | Nameberry
I don’t know who she is, but still finding no bad associations here.
I just love this name. Thoughts and opinions?
♢BTW: I’m not expecting a child. Just wondering what do you think of this name, good middle names, or other names where it could be used as a nickname.♢
[name_u]Chan[/name_u] [name_m]Marshall[/name_m]'s name is pronounced like [name_m]Sean[/name_m]. I used to work with a girl named [name_u]Chan[/name_u], pronounced like [name_u]Jackie[/name_u] [name_u]Chan[/name_u]'s surname. Which pronunciation does the Cambodian [name_u]Chan[/name_u] have?
Hmmmm. Dunno how I feel about this one. Being completely honest, what comes to mind immediately is [name_u]Jackie[/name_u] [name_u]Chan[/name_u] and [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] [name_m]Bing[/name_m]. (And of course [name_u]Channing[/name_u] [name_u]Tatum[/name_u].) Those associations might fade with the generations - probably will. But it’s worth considering.
For nicknames - I’m too tired to produce a coherent list at the moment, but I’d strongly suggest playing around with more elaborate, semi-frilly names since it is so short. Something like…
I’ve seen [name_u]Channing[/name_u] used for a girl a few times lately.
[name_u]Chan[/name_u] is a term of endearment in Japan. If your name is [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] and we’re friends, I’d call you [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]-chan. It’s not a surname.
It is a Cantonese surname though. So that’s what comes to mind for me. I know surnames as first names are a thing, but that one is too odd given the number of Chans I know.
Thought [name_u]Chan[/name_u] was a Chinese name but I’ll definitely associate it to Chinese or Korean. A common surname but would make an interesting first name
I’ve known several woman named [name_f]Chanda[/name_f] and [name_f]Chandra[/name_f] who go by [name_u]Chan[/name_u]. They used 3 different pronunciations, ‘shawn’ or ‘chawn’ (like chalk) or ‘chan’ ([name_m]Chance[/name_m])
It could be a nickname for [name_m]Channon[/name_m], [name_u]Channing[/name_u], [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and [name_f]Channa[/name_f]/[name_f]Chana[/name_f].
Someone said [name_f]Chantilly[/name_f]. [name_m]How[/name_m] cute! And it could be [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] as a nickname. I’ve always thought of [name_u]Channing[/name_u] as more of a boy’s name, but [name_f]Chantilly[/name_f], Chandlar, and [name_f]Chantelle[/name_f] sound like more of a girl’s to me. I’ve been pronouncing it “ch” and “ann”. . . . I feel pretty silly if I’ve been saying it wrong the whole time! And I didn’t know it could be pronounced as [name_m]Sean[/name_m]. Interesting. As for middle names to go with it [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f] is a great suggestion.
Never heard the spelling [name_m]Channon[/name_m] before for a boy. Is it pronounced like the name [name_u]Shannon[/name_u]?
