Find out how popular the first name Van has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Van by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Van is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Van being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 252 male babies and 16 female babies born with the name Van.

The history of the first name Van

The name Van has its origins in the Armenian language and culture, dating back to the ancient kingdom of Armenia in the 2nd century BC. The name is derived from the Armenian word "van," which means "monastery" or "convent." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals associated with religious institutions or those who dedicated their lives to spiritual pursuits.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Van can be found in the Armenian epic poem "Daredevils of Sassoun," written in the 8th century AD. The poem mentions a character named Van, who was a skilled warrior and hero. This literary reference indicates that the name was in use during the medieval period in Armenian society.

In the 5th century AD, an Armenian scholar and philosopher named Van Khosrov made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy. He is credited with writing several treatises on these subjects and is considered one of the most prominent intellectuals of his time.

During the Byzantine Empire, a notable figure named Van Callinicus, an Armenian architect and engineer, is believed to have invented the incendiary weapon known as "Greek fire" in the 7th century AD. This weapon played a crucial role in the defense of Constantinople against Arab invaders.

In the 12th century, a prominent Armenian prince named Van Vahram Pahlavuni led a rebellion against the Seljuk Turks, seeking to establish an independent Armenian kingdom. Although his uprising was eventually suppressed, Van Vahram Pahlavuni is remembered as a valiant leader who fought for Armenian sovereignty.

Another notable figure with the name Van was Van Yegan, an Armenian military commander who served under the Georgian king David IV in the 12th century. Van Yegan played a vital role in the campaigns against the Seljuk Turks and was renowned for his bravery and strategic prowess on the battlefield.

These examples demonstrate that the name Van has been present in Armenian history and culture for centuries, with various individuals bearing this name achieving prominence in various fields, including literature, philosophy, engineering, and military leadership.

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 Van was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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