Unique Boy Names that Start With V

Valentin

French, German, Russian, Czech, Scandinavian variation of Valentine

"strength, health"

Romantic name used throughout Europe, though sure to lead to pronunciation problems here. Though it's never been too widely used in the US, it's quite popular in Switzerland, France, Austria, and…

Van

Dutch

"of"

Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt. More often heard as a surname prefix (e.g. Vincent van Gogh,…

Ved

Sanskrit

"sacred knowledge"

Literary Indian choice, best known here via acclaimed writer Ved Mehta, who lost his sight at the age of four.

Vaughn

Welsh

"small"

Vaughn, also commonly spelled Vaughan, has been used quietly over the years, reaching a peak of Number 349 in 1949. It is now in the process of rediscovery, being seen as a good Sean alternative or…

Valor

Word name

"courage and bravery"

This modern virtue name gives a nod to ancient chivalry and could also work as an updated form of the classic Victor. A bold choice, but one that an increasing number of parents have been making in…

Vander

English, Dutch, Scottish, Greek

"of the; bow warrior; strong man"

Vander is likely a compound of the Dutch elements "Van Der" which prefix a variety of surnames. Meaning "of the" or "from the", they were traditionally used to denote where a family was from. Van der…

Vernon

English

"place of alders"

Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.

Virgil

Latin

"staff bearer"

The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White. The first century…

Viggo

Scandinavian

"war"

Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular…

Valentine

Latin

"strength, health"

Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to…

Vladimir

Slavic

"great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"

Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita , Vladimir Nabokov. The name…

Valerian

Latin

"strength, health"

This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a strong, rhythmic sound and could make a modern-feeling honor…

Valerio

Latin

"strength, health"

The final o adds a macho touch.

Verse

English word name

"verse"

Page, Poet, and Story all get used as names, so why not Verse? Teen Mom 's Kailyn Lowry used it as a name for one of her sons.

Vale

Geographical name

Vale is part place name, part nature name -- a poetic term for a type of valley. Today Show coanchor Savannah Guthrie put Vale on the baby name map when she chose it for her daughter, but there's no…

Vasco

Spanish

"someone from the Basque region"

Schoolchildren will recognize this name via Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

Vonn

Vonn is a masculine name with Germanic origins, possibly derived as a shortened form of names containing the element "von" (meaning "from" in German) or related to the Old German name Vaughn, meaning…

Vision

English word name

"the state of being able to see"

Vision is a member of the new class of spiritual word names, which sometimes reflect the faith or religious beliefs of parents but may only relate to an uplifting meaning. This gender neutral name…

Valiant

English word name from Latin

"brave"

While still very rare, the name Valiant was given to six baby boys in the US last year. And it's an inspiring choice.

Venture

Diminutive of Bonaventure, English word name

"fortune; new, exciting, and dangerous project"

A distinctive word name or a short form of the Italian Bonaventura, Venture could make a bold choice, similar in style to Knight, Worthy, Brave, Truth, and Valor. It has been given to around 10 boys…