Vaughan
Vaughan is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Little or small.
Origin and history
Vaughan is a masculine given name derived from a Welsh surname based on the word 'fechan', meaning 'little' or 'small'. Historically used to distinguish a younger person with the same name as an older relative, it transitioned into an English-language surname and given name. In the United States, Vaughan remains a rare and distinctive choice with consistent historical usage.
Popularity in the United States
1,615 babies in the United States have been named Vaughan since 1880. It ranks #3147 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1875.
States where it is most popular
- TX (50 %)
- CA (25 %)
- NY (25 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 117 |
| 1920-1930 | 136 |
| 1930-1940 | 95 |
| 1940-1950 | 159 |
| 1950-1960 | 158 |
| 1960-1970 | 144 |
| 1970-1980 | 108 |
| 1980-1990 | 98 |
| 1990-2000 | 176 |
| 2000-2010 | 191 |
| 2010-2019 | 181 |
| 2020-2029 | 52 |
Famous people named Vaughan
- Vaughan Williams: Composer
Fun facts
- The name originates from the Welsh word 'fychan' (a soft mutation of 'bychan'), which was originally used as a descriptor for a younger father-son namesake pair.
- While Vaughan is the traditional surname spelling, 'Vaughn' is more commonly encountered as a given name in the U.S.