Names › Boys' names › I › Ivan
Ivan
Meaning: God is gracious (Slavic John) · Origin: Hebrew (via Slavic) · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
The Russian and Slavic form of John. Ivan the Terrible was the first Tsar of Russia.
Famous people named Ivan
- Ivan Pavlov (scientist)
Nicknames
Vanya, Vanechka
Variants & related names
John, Ivo, Iván
Ivan name art
A free preview of a printable “Ivan” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Ivan mean?
Ivan means “God is gracious (Slavic John)”. It comes from Hebrew (via Slavic).
Is Ivan a popular name?
Ivan is a classic boys' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Ivan?
Vanya, Vanechka.
What are other forms of Ivan?
John, Ivo, Iván.
Similar names
Ezekiel · Jonathan · Jeremiah · Jordan · Jose · Adam
More: names starting with I · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.