The story behind Ivan
From Russian Ива́н (Iván), and from Ivan in several Slavic languages. Doublet of John and its relatives Evan, Giovanni, Ian, Johann, and Sean, etc.
Other language forms and explanations (4)
English entry
Rare variant of Evan, from Welsh Ifan, the Welsh equivalent of John.
Portuguese entry
Borrowed from Russian Ива́н (Iván). Doublet of João, Ian, Jean, Ruan, and Geovane.
Serbo-Croatian entry
Borrowed from Old Church Slavonic Їѡанъ (Ioanŭ), from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yōḥānān, “Yahweh is gracious”).
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Ivan, from Russian Ива́н (Iván) and from Ivan in several Slavic languages. John, Evan, Giovanni, Ian, and Sean.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈaɪ.vən/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /ɪˈvɑːn/
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈivɑːn/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /iˈvɐ̃/
- Portuguese; Portugal: /iˈvan/
- Portuguese; Northern; Portugal: /iˈban/
- Portuguese; Northern; Portugal: [iˈβan]
- Serbo-Croatian: /ǐvan/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈʔajvan/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈʔaɪ̯.vɐn̪]
- Tagalog: /ˈʔajban/
- Tagalog: [ˈʔaɪ̯.bɐn̪]
Popularity
Ivan ranked #163 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Ivan
Ifan
From Latin Iōannēs, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥānān, literally “God is gracious”). Doublet of Iwan and Siôn.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ilan
From Hebrew אִילָן (Ilán, “tree, oak tree”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Iván
Borrowed from Russian Ива́н (Iván).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ivān
Borrowed from Russian Ива́н (Iván). Doublet of जॉन (jŏn) and यूहन्ना (yūhannā).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Iwan
a male given name from Russian [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Biblical Hebrew], equivalent to English Ivan From Latin Iōannēs, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs),…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alan
From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Ivan
Ann
From Late Latin Anna chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate in reference to Anna the Prophetess, from Koine…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Dan
From Hebrew דָּן (Dan). Dimunitve of Danjell (“Daniel”), Daniel (“id”) and Daniell (“id”). From Latin Daniēl (from Ancient Greek Δᾱνῑήλ (Dānīḗl), from Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Eve
From Middle English Eve, Eue, from Old English Ēua, Ēfe, from Latin Eva, from Ancient Greek Εὔα (Eúa), from Biblical Hebrew חַוָּה (ḥawwā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Ivan
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adah
From Hebrew עָדָה (adá, “Adah”, literally “ornament, dawn”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection