Daily AncestorNan
Nan was a common nickname for Ann, Anna or Ellen in American records of the 1700s and 1800s.
Nan is an old short form of Ann and of Nancy. Lists of 18th and 19th century nicknames also give it for Anna and Ellen.
If a search for Ann finds nothing, try Nan, and the reverse. Treat a match as a lead and confirm it with age, birthplace and family members. Because Nan served for more than one name, see which full name the same woman carries in other records.
As seen in a recordGravestone, 1849; her husband's will calls her Ann
Nan, wife of Orrin Bostwick, died Oct. 6, 1849, aged 69 years
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Nan." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/nicknames/nan. Last checked 2026-10-15.