Van
Van: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /vĂŚn/
Meaning and origin of Van
- A diminutive of the female given name Vanessa.
- A diminutive of the male given names Vance, Ivan, and Evan.
Etymology
Shortening.
How popular is Van?
Since 1880, 1,762 girls and 29,432 boys in the U.S. have been named Van (6% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1262 in 1888. Its highest rank for boys was #234 in 1891. In 2025 it ranked #972 for boys, with 244 babies given the name.
Names similar to Van
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Van
Names that peaked around the same time as Van and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Van FAQ
What does the name Van mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Vanessa. A diminutive of the male given names Vance, Ivan, and Evan. Shortening.
How popular is the name Van?
Since 1880, 1,762 girls and 29,432 boys in the U.S. have been named Van (6% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1262 in 1888. Its highest rank for boys was #234 in 1891. In 2025 it ranked #972 for boys, with 244 babies given the name.
Is Van a boy or girl name?
Van is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,762 girls and 29,432 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880â2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.