Van
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Van
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.
Van for boys#972 US
More often heard as a surname prefix (e.g. Vincent van Gogh, Dick Van Dyke), Van by itself has had some notable bearers, such as musician Van Cliburn (born Harvey Kevan) and actors Van Johnson (born Charles Van) and Van Heflin (born Emmett Evan). Because of its common connection to surnames, it makes for an interesting middle name option. Van reached as high as Number 265 in 1946.
Van for girls#11852 US
Van as a feminine name is quite uncommon, as it's more frequently encountered as a male name or surname across various cultures. Of Vietnamese origin, Van can mean 'cloud' and is often used as a middle name for both genders. In Dutch contexts, it appears primarily as a prefix in surnames meaning 'from' or 'of.' As a standalone feminine name, Van has a minimalist, modern appeal with its brief, single-syllable structure. The simplicity provides a gender-neutral quality that aligns with contemporary naming trends favoring concise, versatile options. Though rare for girls, its cross-cultural connections and straightforward pronunciation make it an intriguing choice for parents seeking something distinctively brief yet meaningful.
Pronounced VAN.
As of October 2026, Van ranked #972 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #234 in 1891, Nameberry popularity #613.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #778 | 300 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #827 | 273 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #915 | 236 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #908 | 236 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #836 | 267 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #866 | 257 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #868 | 260 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #876 | 265 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #945 | 241 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #910 | 255 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #907 | 257 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #972 | 236 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Van for boys
Similar names
These 40 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Van.
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Van on lists
Famous Vans
- Sie George Ivan (Van) MorrisonBoy
Irish singer,songwriter
- (Charles) Van Dell JohnsonBoy
American actor
- Emmett Evan "Van" HeflinBoy
American actor
- Harvey Lavan "Van" CliburnBoy
American pianist
- Ryan Evan "Van" McCannBoy
English lead singer of Catfish and the Bottlemen
- Anthony Kapel "Van" JonesBoy
American political activist and commentator
- Evan Vanfossen "Van" HansisBoy
American actor
- Van Harold GreenBoy
American NFL football player
- Van NelsonBoy
American distance runner
- Van TiffinBoy
American NFL football player
- Trig Paxson Van PalinBoy
son of politician Sarah Palin
- Edward "Eddie" Van HalenBoy
Dutch,American rock guitarist
- Vincent Van GoghBoy
Dutch painter
Van in pop culture
- VanBoy
a main character in the anime "Escaflowne," pronounced Von/Vaughn
- Van MontgomeryBoy
a main character on TV's "Reba"
- "National Lampoon's Van WilderBoy
" 2002 film about the title character
- Van HohenheimBoy
character in manga/anime, "Fullmetal Alchemist"
- VanBoy
a large motor vehicle
- Van DeloreyBoy
character in Netflix's "American Vandal"