Van Name Meaning

The name Van is primarily used in the Dutch and English languages, it is of Celtic, Welsh, and Vietnamese origin. The Dutch use Van as a prefix in surnames, meaning "from" or "of" indicating someone's origin. The Welsh name Van means "small" or "little". Meanwhile, in Vietnamese, it's primarily a female name meaning "cloud."

Famous personalities with the name Van include Van Morrison, a revered singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, and Van Cliburn, a famous American pianist. Van Gogh, the famous Dutch painter, had "van" in his surname referring to his geographic origin, and Van Williams was an American actor best known for his role in the television series "The Green Hornet."