Nan

¹ American  

[nan] / næn /

noun

1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.

2. a female given name.

---

nan- ² American  

1. variant of nano- before a vowel.

   nanoid.

---

nan British  

/ næn, ˈnænə /

noun

1. a child's words for grandmother

---

Usage

What does nan- mean? Nan- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very small, minute.” In names of units of measure, it means "one billionth." It is very occasionally used in scientific and technical terms. Nan- comes from Greek nânos or nánnos, meaning “dwarf.”What are variants of nan-?Nan- is a variant of nano-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use nano- article.

Etymology

Origin of nan

see _nanny ; compare Greek nanna aunt, Medieval Latin nonna old woman

Example Sentences

And at her introductory press conference, Wooden’s daughter, Nan, sat in the front row.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Hiding in plain sight that night, among the patrons scattered throughout the museum, was photographer and activist Nan Goldin, along with several members of her advocacy group, P.A.I.N.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

"A host of corruption allegations in Chinese arms procurement led to major arms contracts being postponed or cancelled in 2024," Nan Tian, Director of SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, said in a statement.

From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025

There will be full live Sportsound commentary of both qualifiers on BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Nan Gaidheal and BBC Sounds.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

“I’m Jubilee. Nan and I just moved here.”

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry