Save Type Political Subdivision & Settlement Usage Arabic Scripts أسوان(Arabic) Pronounced Pron. /ʔɑs.ˈwɑːn/(Egyptian Arabic) /ʔas.ˈwaːn/(Arabic) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Derived from Egyptian swnw possibly related to swn meaning "to trade, to buy" or swnt meaning "trade, price". This is the name of a governorate and city in Egypt.