Van

Updated: October 3, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Van is a short and sturdy baby name for boys. International in scope, this name resonates proudly in popular culture. Van Fanel is the main male protagonist in the anime Escaflowne, Van Montgomery was a likeable character in the sitcom Reba, and Van Wilder was the titular protagonist of the movie National Lampoon's Van Wilder. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.

Meaning of the Name Van

Van is an international baby name with several etymologies. A common etymology is Van as the diminutive of longer names like Vance, Evan, or Ivan. Vance originates from an Old English surname that meant “marsh” or “fen.” Evan is the Welsh form of the name John, and Ivan is the Russian form of the same name. Both Evan and Ivan mean “God is gracious.”

Van has various meanings in other parts of the world. For example, Vân (雲) is the Vietnamese word for “cloud.” The name Văn (文) means “knowledge” or “culture” in Chinese. Finally, Van is also a Dutch prepositional name that means “from,” “via,” or “of” (as in the surnames van Gogh, van der Beek, and van der Veer).

Van is a masculine name with multiple meanings. One of the most common meanings is the Old English word for “marsh” or “fen.” In the Old English dialect, the letters “f” and “v” produced the same sound, and the word fenn gradually evolved into the surname Vance. This surname indicated individuals who lived near marshland. Symbols for marshland included water and nutrient-rich soil.

Nicknames for the Van

The name Van evokes feelings of vogue style and inner vitality. Below, we've compiled a list of nicknames for the Van in your life. However, feel free to come up with a nickname that is unique to their individuality and personality.