What’s In A Name: Nan Flanagan

This is part sixteen in our series of articles examining the meanings behind the names of characters on True Blood. For previous articles looking at Sookie, Eric, Alcide, Tara, Bill, Arlene, Lafayette, Sam, Pam, Crystal, Russell, Sophie-Anne, the Bellefleur family, Hallow, & Jesus click here.

Nan Flanagan

Nan takes charge.

Upgraded to a series regular for True Blood season 4, it’s time to take a closer look at this character and what her name might reveal about her. Nan is often assumed to be short for “Nancy”, but it’s actually a derivation on the name “Ann” which means “favored grace”. You have to admit, Nan has a certain grace and elegance that seems inborn. Those traits serve her well as the spokesperson for the AVL.

Flanagan is a popular Irish surname that means “red”. Is that a clue that Nan is of Irish descent? Obviously the color red is a large part of her life as a vampire, but it may also signify her temper. We don’t see her lose it often, but when she does it’s impressive.