Chun
Primarily a boy's name of Chinese origin with 98 recorded births. Also given to 22 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Chun is a boy's and girl's baby name of Chinese origin meaning 'spring' — the season of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. In Chinese culture, spring carries profound positive associations: warmth returning, flowers blooming, and life beginning again after winter.
Used both as a surname and given name in Chinese families, Chun is a name of natural beauty and optimism — for parents who want a name rooted in the Chinese language with an uplifting seasonal meaning.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Chun is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1974–2000). Its Chinese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 98 total births, Chun exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Chun has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1974.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 28 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 19 | — |
The Story of Chun
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1984, Chun is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Chun are most likely born between 1974 and 1994.
How rare is Chun?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Chun is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1974, peaked in the 1980s with 46 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Chun by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1974–2000)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | #10650 |
| 1998 | 6 | #8663 |
| 1997 | 5 | #9517 |
| 1996 | 6 | #8123 |
| 1994 | 6 | #7941 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8330 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7111 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5592 |
| 1986 | 6 | #6070 |
| 1984 | 10 | #3972 |
| 1983 | 5 | #6405 |
| 1982 | 7 | #5110 |
| 1980 | 5 | #6411 |
| 1979 | 7 | #4924 |
| 1978 | 7 | #4633 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5347 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Chun as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Chun has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 22 births since 1942.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chun a boy's or girl's name?
When was Chun most popular?
How popular is the name Chun?
Can Chun be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1974–2000