Grainne Chan

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Grainne Chan — grain goddess
150K People worldwide
Ireland Most common in
1985s Peak popularity
Gender
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Grainne Chan is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Grainne is a feminine given name of Celtic origin. From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen. The surname Chan: Chan is a non-pinyin romanisation of multiple Chinese surnames, based on different varieties of Chinese. Among respondents to the 2000 United States census, Chan was the 12th-most common surname among Asian Pacific Americans, and 459th-most common overall, with 59,811 bearers (91.0% of whom identified as Asian/Pacific Islander). Chan was the ninth-most common Chinese surname in Singapore as of 1997 (ranked by English spelling, rather than by Chinese characters). Roughly 48,400 people, or 1.9% of the Chinese Singaporean population, bore the surname Chan. Grainne is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 150K people globally, with the highest concentration in Ireland. The name Grainne reached peak popularity in the 1985s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Grainne

Meaning: grain goddess

Celtic

From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen.

Surname: Chan

Vietnamese

Chan is a non-pinyin romanisation of multiple Chinese surnames, based on different varieties of Chinese. Among respondents to the 2000 United States census, Chan was the 12th-most common surname among Asian Pacific Americans, and 459th-most common overall, with 59,811 bearers (91.0% of whom identified as Asian/Pacific Islander). Chan was the ninth-most common Chinese surname in Singapore as of 1997 (ranked by English spelling, rather than by Chinese characters). Roughly 48,400 people, or 1.9% of the Chinese Singaporean population, bore the surname Chan.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Grainne is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

Ireland 86%
United Kingdom 14%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Grainne by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Grainne Chan:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

6
Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Grainne?
The first name Grainne originates from Celtic. From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen.
When was Grainne most popular?
The name Grainne reached its peak popularity during the 1985s.
What is the origin of the surname Chan?
The surname Chan originates from Vietnamese. Chan is a non-pinyin romanisation of multiple Chinese surnames, based on different varieties of Chinese. Among respondents to the 2000 United States census, Chan was the 12th-most common surname among Asian Pacific Americans, and 459th-most common overall, with 59,811 bearers (91.0% of whom identified as Asian/Pacific Islander). Chan was the ninth-most common Chinese surname in Singapore as of 1997 (ranked by English spelling, rather than by Chinese characters). Roughly 48,400 people, or 1.9% of the Chinese Singaporean population, bore the surname Chan.
What are the origins of the name Grainne Chan?
The name Grainne Chan combines two different traditions: the first name Grainne has Celtic roots, while the surname Chan originates from Vietnamese.
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