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    The first name Vaughan

    A boy’s name from Welsh meaning “little”.

    Pronounced /vɔːn/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Welsh origin

    Vaughan means “little” in Welsh.

    Borrowed from Welsh Vychan, from bychan, diminutive of bach (“little”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Vaughan last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2008, with 21 births (#1,156).

    01530 1996200020052010201520202025
    298
    babies named Vaughan, 1996–2025
    #5,119
    rank in 2024
    2008
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Vaughan with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Vaughan at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 5 boys born in the United States were named Vaughan, the 13,759th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2006, when 34 were.

    02040 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    1,637
    babies named Vaughan since 1880
    #13,759
    rank in 2025
    2006
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Vaughan

    3 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Vaughan Ronald Pratt
      Australian computer scientist, born 1944
    • Benjamin Vaughan Abbott
      Author of the New York penal code (1830-1890)
    • Chris Evans (Australian politician)
      Australian politician (born 1958)

    More Welsh boys’ names

    All 78 names of Welsh origin

    Questions

    What does the name Vaughan mean?
    Vaughan means “little” in Welsh.
    What is the origin of the name Vaughan?
    Borrowed from Welsh Vychan, from bychan, diminutive of bach (“little”).
    How popular is the name Vaughan?
    In 2024, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Vaughan, ranking 5,119th. Its peak was 2008, with 21 births.
    Is Vaughan a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 1,637 US babies named Vaughan since 1880 were boys.
    When was Vaughan most popular?
    2006 in the United States, when 34 babies were named Vaughan, its highest rank at 3,215th.
    How do you pronounce Vaughan?
    Vaughan is /vɔːn/, one syllable.
    What are other spellings of Vaughan?
    Faughn, Vaughn and Vaughns.
    Is Vaughan also a surname?
    Yes. Vaughan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.