Ivan
Ivan is a boy name of Russian origin, meaning God is gracious.
What Ivan means
God is gracious.
Ivan is short — 4 letters, and ends on a consonant, which gives it a firmer stop.
Where Ivan comes from
Russian names combine Slavic roots with Greek names brought in through the Orthodox Church, and nearly every one has an affectionate diminutive used at home.
Ivan is recorded as Russian in origin. Browse other Russian names.
How popular is Ivan?
Ivan is not in the current top 100 boy names we track. In practice that means a child called Ivan is unlikely to be one of three in a classroom — the name is established and recognisable, just not in heavy circulation right now.
The character of Ivan
Ivan sits in our faith group. Following that theme is usually the fastest way to find the handful of other names that feel the way this one does.
Themes: Faith
Names like Ivan
These share Ivan's themes, origin, or both — closest first.
- Mikhail — Who is like God?
- Anastasia — Resurrection; rebirth.
- Natalia — Born at Christmas.
- Declan — Full of goodness; an Irish saint.
- Iain — God is gracious.
- Ignatius — Fiery.
- Isaiah — God is salvation.
- Makoto — Sincerity, truth.
- Abraham — Father of multitudes.
- Abram — Exalted father.
- Adil — Just and fair.
- Amadeus — Lover of God.