Van
Van is a boy's name of Dutch origin.
Meaning
Of, from, or glad.
Origin and history
Van is traditionally a Dutch preposition meaning 'of' or 'from,' commonly used as a surname prefix. In the United States, it became established as a given name, often as a short form of names like Vance or Vander, or used independently. It maintains a steady presence as a classic, mid-century retro name.
Popularity in the United States
29,432 babies in the United States have been named Van since 1880. It ranks #686 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #851.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.2 %)
- CA (8.8 %)
- NC (6 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
- GA (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 356 |
| 1890-1900 | 363 |
| 1900-1910 | 362 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,290 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,163 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,947 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,764 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,090 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,933 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,741 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,414 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,031 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,807 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,656 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,515 |
Famous people named Van
- Van Morrison: Singer, Songwriter
- Van Cliburn: Pianist, Musician
- Van Johnson: Actor, Singer
Fun facts
- Van originated as a Dutch preposition used in surnames to denote geographic origin, which later transitioned into a given name in English-speaking regions.
- The name experienced a notable peak in popularity in the mid-20th century, influenced in part by famous figures in music and film.