Ivan
Ivan is the Slavic form of John, from the Hebrew "Yochanan" — meaning "God is gracious." The name has been used in Russia and other Slavic countries for centuries. Ivan III the Great (1440-1505) tripled the size of Russia. Ivan IV the Terrible (1530-1584) was the first tsar of Russia — known for his brutality but also for consolidating Russian power. Ivan has been in the US top 1000 most years since 1880, with a significant revival in the 1990s-2000s. It entered the top 200 in 2004 and continues to climb. Ivan (the writer Ivan Turgenev, 1818-1883, who wrote "Fathers and Sons" (1862)) gave the name literary prestige. Ivan (the tennis player Ivan Lendl, born 1960) gave the name a sports charge. I find Ivan has a strong, slightly Slavic quality — the "I" opening is open, and the "van" ending gives it length. Ivan is one of the most internationally successful Slavic names. Ivan is a male name of Slavic (from John) origin that means "God is gracious (Slavic form of John)". Strong, Slavic, and a little intense. The name sounds historic. Ivans tend to be capable. US top 200 since 2004. Rising. Well-known people named Ivan include Ivan the Terrible (Tsar of Russia), Ivan Turgenev (author), Ivan Lendl (tennis player), Ivan (Slavic form of John). Common variations and related forms of Ivan include John (English form), Iván (Spanish, related), Jan (Polish), Ivo (related).