Find out how popular the first name Vahan has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Vahan by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Vahan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Vahan.

The history of the first name Vahan

The name Vahan originates from the Armenian language and culture. It is derived from the Armenian word "vahan," meaning "bearer" or "carrier." The name traces its roots back to ancient Armenian history and has been in use since the early centuries of the Christian era.

The name Vahan was particularly popular among the Armenian nobility and royalty. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 5th century, when Vahan Mamikonian, an Armenian prince and military leader, played a crucial role in the Battle of Avarayr against the Sassanid Persians in 451 CE. This battle was a pivotal event in preserving Armenian Christian identity and cultural autonomy.

Another notable figure bearing the name Vahan was Vahan Gol, an Armenian historian and writer who lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He was known for his historical work, "The Universal History," which chronicled the events and figures of Armenian history from ancient times to the 13th century.

In the 19th century, Vahan Terian, an Armenian poet and writer, made significant contributions to the Armenian literary renaissance. Born in 1885 in Kharpet (present-day Turkey), he wrote poetry and prose that celebrated Armenian culture and identity.

The name Vahan also gained prominence in the 20th century with individuals like Vahan Hovhannisyan, an Armenian military commander who played a crucial role in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the early 1990s.

Another notable figure was Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan, an Armenian writer and literary critic born in 1929 in Yerevan, Armenia. He was renowned for his contributions to Armenian literature and his critical analyses of Armenian writers and their works.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Vahan throughout history, showcasing its deep roots in Armenian culture and its association with notable figures in various fields, including military leadership, literature, and history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Vahan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Vahan, please contact us.

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