Van
How to say it: VAN · /ˈvæn/
Dutch preposition meaning 'of, from'; used as a given name or short form of Evan/Ivan; also an independent Vietnamese name.
Van was the 883rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 236 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 13% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #920 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #883 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 236 |
| Share of births | 1 in 14,048 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | −13% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #920 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After nearly disappearing, Van came back. Its high point was in the 1880s with a lull through the 1990s, and it now stands well below that high with further slipping likely.
What goes with it
One clipped syllable with a breathy finish gives Van a spare and sturdy quality. Ford and Clark share that compact style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Van is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, Vietnamese.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Van
- Van Morrison (born 1945)Northern Irish musician
- Van Heflin (1908–1971)American actor
- Van Johnson (1916–2008)American actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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