Meaning: Its source is Evan, a Gaelic name meaning "Youth."

Nickname For: Evan and Ivan

Alternative Spellings: Vann

Feminine Forms: Vanna

Popularity: The name Van ranked 484th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: This can also be seen as a short form of Ivan, the Slavic form of John.

Meaning: Its source is a Greek expression meaning "Butterflies."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English and Greek.

Nickname For: Evangelia and Vanessa

Popularity: The name Van ranked 1716th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: Some authorities claim it was invented by 18th century English writer Jonathan Swift as a pseudonym for Esther Vanhomrigh, based on the first syllable of her last name, and possibly the Latin verb esse, meaning ''to be.''

Swift described his love for her in his poem Cadenus and Vanessa.

In Japanese, some of the characters that represent this sound can be translated to mean innocent