I think this could be a fun nickname, but I’m struggling to imagine someone just giving birth and saying "Meet Van!" I don’t think a kid with this name would have a ton of comments about its relation to an English word, but I still wouldn’t use it. It’s a respectable name, so if you really love it, go ahead. Just maybe think about Ivan or Evan.
I love this name. I think that outside of character creation it might not be the best name for an actual person, due to how uncommon it is. But I really do adore it, despite the association with shoes and vehicles. It's punchy, memorable, and sounds like an updated version of Vaughn or other older sounding v names.
This is a good name. Also naming your kid after an inanimate object isn't anything bad, there are a lot of people named after objects, like Booth, Ford, and other names of the same nature.
Anyone commenting about naming your kid after a vehicle must not have ever met a Lincoln, Ford, Bentley, Opal or Mercedes (all somewhat well documented and common names in some areas/eras). People are named after plants, animals, minerals, Gods and objects, cars included, but the name Van goes back much further than meaning a vehicle. It's an old and strong name.
In 2018, 56 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Van* who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 1, 426th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens. *as a first name, not a nickname.
Van Heusen is a mid-range brand of dress shirts owned by PVH. Sister brand to Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, Arrow, Warner's, Olga, Speedo, True & Co, and Geoffrey Beene.
I have to defend this beautiful, masculine name! Especially to those who think of this as a vehicle. My husband's name is Van Thomas and it's short for Vangelis Thomaso which goes back hundreds of years on his Greek father's side of the family. Vangelis is pronounced (Awn-geh-lee) and means good news or good messenger, very angelic. There is something so gentle and unique about this name for a boy. We love it because of the family history, because no one else we know has it, and because it is so definitive of his character - both sensitive and extremely strong. I fully recommend this name or the more elaborate Greek version with Van as the nickname. Our son is Thomaso Vangelis... Love this name! PS - my name is Siobhan (Shi-Van) so our names are similar. When we go to Japan the Japanese pronounce his name as Ban and mine as She-Ban. Very cute.
Van Montgomery, off of "Reba" tv show, he is hilarious! He is played by Steve Howey, and it's a joy to see "Reba" on to see Van and Barbara Jean have their hilariousness on the show.