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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Van for a boy? And middle name ideas!

59 replies

Pebbles0934 · 25/10/2016 07:54

Hi I like Van for a boy but wanted to see opinions first as I know it's a big car etc! We like it from Van Morrison and also it is a name on its own in Vietnam meaning literature!
(However, I know it won't be to most people's taste)
If it's a name you think is ok, any middle name ideas?
Other name idea is Abel. But we already have a biblical boys name so didn't want to go with that trend really! Also have a daughter with a flowery girl name and a son with an unusual name similar to Cai.

Thanks for any input (not too harsh please!)

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Chinlo · 25/10/2016 10:21

He's actually George Ivan Morrison.

I like Evander. What about these: www.babynamewizard.com/baby-name/advanced-name-finder/results?gender=M&sequence=van

SoupDragon · 25/10/2016 09:52

All the Virgin Media vans appear to be named things like Van Helsing and Van MOrrison. It makes me smile whenever I see them!

SoupDragon · 25/10/2016 09:51

I think it's awful as an actual name.

Is Evan popular? It's not a name I've heard in use where I am.

kittybiscuits · 25/10/2016 09:41

I really like Van. But the middle name is tricky. Maybe something traditional. Joseph?

Original poster
Pebbles0934 · 25/10/2016 09:39

Thanks for your input! I know it would be better to have a more traditional name and have Van as a nn but I just don't really like any of them! Evan is nice but too popular in my opinion. I don't like Ivan. Evander is too long for me.
I like Avan? Cavan? Maybe!

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 25/10/2016 09:16

I agree that Evander is better but with Van as a nn.

fitzbilly · 25/10/2016 09:16

I think it's s nice name but she with others, give him a name like evader or Ivan and use van as his nick name.

Stevefromstevenage · 25/10/2016 09:13

Evan or Evander and then Van works well. Not mad about Ivan so I understand why Van Morrison changed it definitely a no on Van alone. It is very limiting as he gets older.

MrsHiddleston · 25/10/2016 09:09

You can't have a Van Ellis - it's too Vangelis! I'm now going to have Chariots of Fire in my head all day!

redcaryellowcar · 25/10/2016 09:09

I knew a Van, he was a Kevan, and apparently went to school with a Kevin and were known as vin and van! I like van, it suited him well.

PotatoBread · 25/10/2016 09:09

I hate Van on its own but the I do have a strong dislike for Van Morrison Grin Agree with others suggestions - as a nn for Ivan or Evander it's fine.

butterflymum · 25/10/2016 09:06

For middle, possibly 'Ellis' - depending on how it and 'Van' sound with your surname.

Pluto30 · 25/10/2016 09:00

I also know an Evander with the nn Van. I like that more.

TeaPleaseLouise · 25/10/2016 08:58

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ClaudiaApfelstrudel · 25/10/2016 08:53

it's an absolutely dreadful name sorry OP but don't punish your son for the rest of his life with this!

purplefox · 25/10/2016 08:44

I'd use it as a nickname for something, it wouldn't be the actual name - Evander, Vander, Evan, Elvan, Jovan, Vance

Thingvellir · 25/10/2016 08:34

I like Van on its own. I love Evander nn Van

defineme · 25/10/2016 08:23

Van morrisson was called van at primary school age according to wiki, I know it is an abbreviation of his middle name, but that's very common, my own brother is nsmed after my dad but has always gone by an abbreviation of his middle name.

GinIsIn · 25/10/2016 08:23

Do you have any connection to or heritage from Vietnam? I know 2 guys called Van, but they are both Vietnamese. Might be better to use it as a nickname as PPs have suggested?

ExcellentWorkThereMary · 25/10/2016 08:20

My first thought was middle name Halen.. I love Evander though, with Van as a nn. Ivan is a great name too.

user1471507699 · 25/10/2016 08:19

Do you have Vietnamese links? To me it sounds a bit like a surname. I knew someone whose surname was van der Xxxx. It is growing on me a bit as I think about it but he will get lots of comments. Personally I'd use a longer form.

defineme · 25/10/2016 08:19

Lead singer of catfish and the bottlemen is a van after van morrisson, I love him and think it's a nice name. Abel is the baby in sons of anarchy to me, I prefer it and really like Abe too, is it more popular in America, my ds2 has a name unheard of outside of Shakespeare but 10 a penny in the US. Be brave op, there's a lot of nonsense about abbreviations and stuff, but you can do it.

Sgoinneal · 25/10/2016 08:15

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeaPleaseLouise · 25/10/2016 08:15

This reply has been deleted

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MsQueenie · 25/10/2016 08:14

What about Evan?

Otherwise Van Halen Smile