Origin and Meaning of Ivan

Meaning & Origin

God is gracious

Origin: Slavic - Ivan is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, which means 'God is gracious'. The name has variations across different languages and cultures.

Interesting Facts

  • Ivan is a common name in many Slavic countries and is associated with notable historical figures, particularly in Russia, where it has been borne by several princes and tsars.
  • In Slavic cultures, Ivan is often used in various combination names like Ivanov, Ivanovich, and Ivana for females.
  • Notable individuals named Ivan include Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, and Ivan Pavlov, the Russian physiologist known for his research in classical conditioning.
  • The name Ivan has maintained steady popularity in Eastern Europe while experiencing fluctuations in Western countries, including the United States.
  • Variations and related names include John (English), Johann (German), Juan (Spanish), and Ioan (Romanian).