Liu Yan may refer to:
- Liu Yan (Bosheng) (died 23 AD), style name Bosheng, general who led an uprising against the Xin Dynasty
- Liu Yan (Prince of Fuling) (died 89), Eastern Han Dynasty prince, son of Emperor Guangwu
- Liu Yan (Prince of Zhongshan) (died 90), Eastern Han Dynasty prince, son of Emperor Guangwu
- Liu Yan (Prince of Xiapi) (died 126), Eastern Han Dynasty prince, son of Emperor Ming
- Liu Yan (warlord) (died 194), Eastern Han Dynasty noble and warlord
- Liu Yan (Cao Cao general), general under Eastern Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao
- Liu Yan (chancellor) (715/716–780), served briefly as chancellor during the Tang Dynasty, known for his reforms in the salt monopoly and food transportation systems
- Liu Yan (emperor) (889–942), founding emperor of Southern Han during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
- Liu Yan (figure skater) (born 1984), figure skater
- Liu Yan (dancer) (born 1982), dancer