Ivan Name Meaning: History, Pronunciation & Facts

What Does Ivan Mean?

Ivan means “god’s gracious gift.”

What is the Origin of the Name Ivan?

Ivan has a Slavic origin. It also has a connection to the Hebrew boy name Yohannan, which provides the meaning for this name.

How Popular is the Name Ivan?

Ivan currently ranks as the 168th most popular name in the United States. The name became popular in non-Slavic countries in the late 20th century and early 21st century. Since 2000, Ivan ranked within the top 200 names. However, it never rose above the top 100 names ⁽¹⁾.

This name is most popular in countries such as Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia, Bosnia, and Russia. At various times throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Ivan ranked within the top 10 names for these countries.

How Do I Pronounce Ivan?

Ivan is pronounced as “Ai-vn.”

Is Ivan a Boy or Girl Name?

Ivan is a given name most often used for boys.

Variations of Ivan

There are several variations of the name Ivan. Some of these variations come from other cultures, while other names are simply versions of Ivan with a different spelling. Choose one of these versions if you like the name Ivan, but you want something that directly relates to your heritage.

• Ivana
• John
• Eva
• Giovanni
• Ifan
• Juan
• Yohannan
• Ioannes
• Evan
• Ivann
• Iven
• Ivyn
• Ivin
• Ivano
• Ivon
• Ivaas
• Ivun
• Jovan
• Ian
• Shawn

Nicknames for Ivan

Since Ivan is such a short boy name, you may not think it lends itself to nicknames. However, there are several fun opportunities for nicknames with the name Ivan. If you are considering naming your child Ivan, it is also a good idea to know any nicknames the name may prompt.

• Vanya
• Vanja
• I
• V
• Van
• Vany
• Ivo
• Iva
• Ive
• Ivy
• Vava
• Vin
• Vinny
• Vi
• Iver
• I-V
• Vanna
• IeIe
• An
• Ani

Similar Names to Ivan

It is perfectly normal to like some aspects of a name without wanting to give that name to your child. However, if you like elements of the name Ivan but want some other options, there are plenty of directions you can go in. These names have a Slavic origin, a similar structure to Ivan, or share letters.

• Sven
• Victor
• Lars
• Owen
• Liam
• Ethan
• Issac
• Aiden
• Levi
• Leo
• Julian
• Anton
• Mylo
• Vladimir
• Artem
• Bohdan
• Boris
• Casimir
• Dmitri
• Jovan

Middle Names for Ivan

When choosing a nickname for someone named Ivan, you can try a few different approaches. You can look for a name that is just as simple as Ivan, or you can try a middle name with a bit more flair. Many good middle names for Ivan also have a Slavic origin.

• Kole
• Lel
• Kostya
• Niklaus
• Oleg
• Pepa
• Niko
• Royko
• Troian
• Valerian
• Zan
• Zavida
• Cypress
• Ezra
• Sylvester
• Cornelius
• Wolfgang
• Joseph
• Valentin
• Ezekiel

Sibling Names for Ivan

So, maybe you already have a child named Ivan, and want a name for their upcoming sibling. Lucky for you, the simplicity of the name Ivan means that there are countless fun names that you can use as compliments.

• Alexa
• Artem
• Chessa
• Danika
• Davina
• Darva
• Irene
• Evelyn
• Imogen
• Astrid
• Eloise
• Iris
• Alice
• Nikita
• Aria
• Aaron
• Adam
• Elijah
• Elliot
• Orion

Famous People Named Ivan

This name can be found in famous people throughout history. Ivan is a particularly famous name among Slavic royalty. However, the name is also shared by everyone, including artists, athletes, scientists, and more.

• Ivan IV, The Terrible: Russian Emperor ⁽²⁾.
• Ivan: Brazilian football player.
• Ivan: Japanese fashion model and musician.
• Ivan Alexander: Bulgarian emperor.
• Ivan Mazuranic: Austro-Hungarian nobleman.
• Ivan Kirkland: Orthodox Hermit.
• Ivan Konev: Soviet general.
• Ivan Cordoba: Colombian footballer.
• Ivan Hurtado: Ecuadorian footballer.
• Ivan Bunin: Russian writer.
• Ivan Della Mea: Italian singer-songwriter.
• Ivan Doroschuk: Men Without Hats vocalist.
• Ivan Franko: Ukrainian writer.
• Ivan Kral: Czech-American musician.
• Ivan Mestrovic: Croatian sculptor and architect.
• Van Morrison: Northern Irish singer-songwriter.
• Ivan Duque Marque: Colombian president.
• Ivan Pavlov: Russian physiologist.

Ivan in Popular Culture

Ivan is the name of many main characters throughout Slavic literature. The name is also a popular choice in several forms of childhood entertainment, including Pokemon, Power Rangers, and other children’s television shows.

• Ivan: Ivan the Fool.
• Ivan: Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.
• Ivan Vasilevich Lomov: A Marriage Proposal.
• Ivan Karamazov: The Brothers Karamazov ⁽³⁾.
• Ivan Ilyich: The Death of Ivan Ilyich.
• Ivan Drago: Rocky IV.
• Ivan: Curious George.
• Ivan Veen: Ada or Ardor.
• Ivan Nikolayevich Ponyryov: The Master and Margarita.
• Ivan Braginsky: Hetalia: Axis Powers.
• Ivan Vanko: Iron Man.
• Ivan: Pokemon.
• Ivan Ooze: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.

Ivan FAQs