How Many People Are Named Van?
Complete statistics for the name Van: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Van is a short, punchy name with Dutch and Vietnamese roots, often meaning 'of' or used as a prefix meaning 'from a place.' About 19,871 people named Van are living in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 16,607 Americans. Its peak was back in 1953, and it carries a cool, vintage confidence that's hard to fake.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 1 is traditionally associated with leadership, independence, and a pioneering spirit. People connected to the number 1 are seen as self-reliant and driven to forge their own path.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 63All 30,916 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1953Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Van Through the Generations
Van had its moment in the mid-20th century, peaking in 1953 with 591 births in a single year. That old-school momentum explains a lot about who carries the name today. A striking 61% of living Vans are over 60, and the average age sits at 63, so this is firmly a name belonging to the older generation. Of the 19,871 living today, only 6,381 are under 30, compared to 18,722 over 60. That gap is dramatic. The all-time birth count of 30,916 versus roughly 19,871 living also reflects simple generational math, with many older bearers no longer living. What's genuinely surprising is the trend: Van is slowly rising again. A name this tied to the 1950s quietly making a comeback suggests parents are rediscovering its punchy, one-syllable charm.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Van
Van is a masculine given name and nickname, sometimes a short form of Donovan, Evan, Ivan, Vance, or the feminine Vanessa. It may refer to:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Van's Dutch roots
📄 About the Name Van
How Many People Have the Name Van?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 12,022 people in the United States currently share the name Van. That works out to roughly 1 in every 27,570 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Van a Common or Rare Name?
Van is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Van Mean?
Van means "From, of a place" and comes from Dutch origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Van in SSA data, approximately 93% are male and 7% are female.
When Was Van Most Popular?
The name Van reached peak popularity in 1953, with 591 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Van?
Approximately 12,022 people named Van live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 12,022. That works out to roughly 1 in 27,570 Americans.
Is Van a rare name?
Van is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 27,570 Americans has this name.
What does the name Van mean?
Van means "From, of a place" and comes from Dutch origins.
Is Van more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 93% of people named Van are male and 7% are female.
When was Van most popular?
Van peaked in 1953 with 591 births that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.