Ivan
2 syllables
♂ Male ◎ Croatian / Hebrew / Ukrainian / Belarusian / Bulgarian ◈ 2 syllables
"God is Merciful"

From Croatian / Hebrew / Ukrainian / Belarusian / Bulgarian

Ivan means God is gracious — the Russian form of John. Ivan the Terrible was Russia's first Tsar. Ivan Pavlov conditioned dogs and changed psychology forever. Ivan Drago nearly killed Rocky Balboa. Two syllables of Russian imperial power that carry the Kremlin, a bell tower, and conditioned reflexes. It's John with a fur hat and a thousand-year empire.

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Ivan at a glance
MeaningGod is Merciful
OriginCroatian / Hebrew / Ukrainian / Belarusian / Bulgarian
GenderMale
Syllables2
NumerologyLife Path 1
US Rank (today)#146
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Why parents love Ivan
  • Ivan the Terrible was Russia's first Tsar — imperial founding.
  • Ivan Pavlov is one of the most famous scientists in history.
  • Two syllables with a strong, Slavic sound: EE-van.
  • The meaning God is gracious is profound.
  • Ivan Drago is Rocky's most fearsome opponent.
The vibe of Ivan
RussianTsarPavlovDragoimperialSlavicconditionedKremlin
Origin & history of Ivan
Hebrew Yohanan (God is gracious) Russian Ivan
1
Croatian / Hebrew / Ukrainian / Belarusian / Bulgarian roots
Ivan is the Russian form of John, from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. Ivan IV (the Terrible, 1530–1584) was the first ruler of Russia to be crowned Tsar. Ivan Pavlov (1849–1936) won the Nobel Prize for his work on conditioned reflexes — Pavlov's dogs became one of science's most famous experiments. Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV (1985), is one of cinema's most intimidating antagonists.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Used in Russia for centuries; Ivan IV (the Terrible) was Russia's first Tsar (1547).
3
Today
Ivan remains a beloved choice, ranking #146 in the US. 148,518 babies have been named Ivan since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Britannica, SSA data
How popular is Ivan?
2004 peak year
The name Ivan reached its peak in 2004, with 3,462 registrations (ranked #117). It had been quietly building for over half a century before that, first appearing in records in 1880. Since the peak, the name has eased to around #146 today, averaging about 2,670 new babies per year. Ivan's usage has held roughly steady recently. Across all years on record, approximately 148,518 American babies have carried this name.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
3,462 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #117)
2,670 Avg. per year
(last decade)
26,700 Total registrations
last 10 years
148,518 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #146) Very popular
→ Holding steady in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Ivan
1
Life path number
The Leader
Leadership, independence and pioneering spirit.

Ivan's Life Path 5 is the adventurer's number — Tsar-level adventure. People named Ivan tend to be commanding, intelligent, and capable of conditioning the world around them.

Conditions his world
Commanding intelligence
Tsar-level authority
Russian winter strength
If he dies, he dies
I9
V4
A1
N5
Sum: 19 → Life path 1
Personality of Ivan
🌟
Independent & bold
These individuals chart their own course. They lead, they don't follow.
Ambitious drive
Quiet determination sits behind everything they do.
💡
Original ideas
Their minds work differently — seeing angles others walk past.
🔑
Natural authority
Without trying, they earn respect.
Names that combine with Ivan

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Ivan.

Middle names for Ivan

The right middle name turns Ivan into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

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7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Ivan is a beautiful choice.
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