Ivan is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #283 in 2025 with 159 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2022 with 190 births ranking #248. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 261.4%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 1,710 boys born was named Ivan. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Ivan is the Slavic form of John and means "God is gracious". It is short, strong, and internationally familiar, with a very long history across eastern Europe and beyond.
The name has been used for centuries in Russia, the Balkans, and many neighbouring cultures. In English it often feels crisp and unmistakably international.