Ivan (name)

Ivan
Gender Male
Origin
Word/Name Slavic / Greek / Hebrew
Other names
Related names John

Ivan is a Christian male given name that is primarily associated with Slavic languages.

Contents

Etymology

Ivan is the common Slavic Latin spelling, while Cyrillic spelling is two-fold: in Bulgarian, Russian, Macedonian, Serbian it is Иван, while in Belarusian and Ukrainian it is Iван.

It is the Slavic relative of the Latin name Johannes, corresponding to English John.[1] This Slavic version of the name originates from New Testament Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs) rather than from the Latin Io(h)annes. The Greek name is in turn derived from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥānān, meaning “‘Yahweh is gracious’”). The name is ultimately derived from the Biblical Hebrew name יוחנן (pronounced [joχanan]), short for יהוחנן ([jəhoχanan]), meaning "Yahweh is merciful". Common surnames tracing to the name Ivan, are Ivanovic commonly used in Serbia and Montenegro. And Ivanov, commonly used in Russia and Bulgaria. "Ivanovich" is a Russian patrynomic/middle name meaning "son of Ivan/John" or "Ivanson/Johnson".

It is etymologically related to many other given names in other Indo-European languages (see John (name) for a full list).

Popularity

The name is common among Bulgarians, Croats, Danes, Macedonians, Russians, Serbs (newer adopted form compared to older more traditional Jovan), Slovenians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians.

Ivan is the most common male name in Bulgaria and Russia.

Ivan is the most popular name in Croatia.[2]

Since the 20th century, it has also been used as a popular given name among Italian (both the original form and the italinized version, Ivano), Spanish as (Iván), and Portuguese speaking peoples.

Derivatives

Its female form is Ivana. Ivanka is a variation on Ivana.

Slang

Ivan was also occasionally used by Americans during the Cold War as a general name for the Soviets (Compare "Jerry" for the Germans or "Charlie" for the Vietnamese during World War II and the Vietnam War, respectively.).

Historical country-specific use

Bulgaria

Ivan was the name of several Bulgarian tsars:

Other Bulgarians

Russia

Ivan was the name of several Russian tsars throughout history:

Ukraine

Ivan was the name of numerous Ukrainian hetmans and other cossacks leaders

Czechia

Country-neutral use

Sports

Arts

Other

Fiction

References

  1. ^ MFnames.com - Origin and Meaning of Ivan
  2. ^ About name Ivan in Croatia