V - Boys' Names

Vachel

French

"one who raises cows"

This is a French occupational namename brought to the fore by poet Vachel Lindsay, born Nicholas Vachel (Vachel being his father's first name), considered the founder of modern poetry intended to be…

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…

Vanya

Russian, diminutive of John

This short form of Ivan just could join the other Russian nickname names coming into fashion, and it does have the Chekhov connection.

Vasily

Russian form of Basil, Greek

"royal"

Vasily is one of many forms of the Greek Basil, all rare in the US.

Vega

Arabic, Spanish

"swooping eagle, meadow"

This striking name has a lot going for it: it's a self-confident Spanish surname, it identifies one of the most brilliant stars in the sky, and it has a musical reference to singer-songwriter Suzanne…

Vidar

Old Norse

"quiet god"

Mythological son of Odin, powerful and mute.

Vilhelm

German variation of William

The way Wilhelm is pronounced anyway, so a pointless spelling variation.

Vitus

Latin

"life"

No-no appelation of a child saint and martyr whose name is a term for the nervous condition known as Saint Vitus' Dance. Its one recommending feature is that it's among the elite group Boy names that…