[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone!!!
I have always loved the name [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], but it strangely sounds distinctly feminine to me. In fact, I was shocked when I read the One and Only [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] in grade school and discovered the main character was a boy. Still, I’m aware of the names long history and worldly masculinity making me hesitant to use it as a legal name. I adore the alternative [name_f]Ivana[/name_f] and figured I could use [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] as a nickname, but it’s connection to Trump along with [name_f]Ivanka[/name_f] is off-putting to me. I also can’t get behind [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]- another option I considered. With that I would really appreciate some input on the following questions?
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think that [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] is usable on a girl or should I keep it as a GP?
What are some other names similar to [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] that you are aware of?
Thank you all and stay safe out there!!!
I want to follow this because I wrestle with the same question about the usability of some girls names for boys.
On the plus side, [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] is not too unsimilar to [name_u]Evan[/name_u] which has been used for girls.
On the negative side, [name_u]Evan[/name_u] benefits in my mind from beginning with the letters Ev which is closer to [name_f]Eve[/name_f] and that makes it seem a bit more feminine to me than [name_m]Ivan[/name_m]. Also, whenever I think of [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] I think of [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] the Terrible, which for me makes the name unusable for a boy let alone a girl.
So I am not negative on the idea in principle. But on balance, I would not use it for a girl myself.
When I see the name [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], I do automatically assume boy. I’ve known quite a few of them, so that’s always been my association with the name. However, I am a fan of masculine names on girls, so I don’t have a problem with it! I think I’d find it very cool if I met a girl named [name_m]Ivan[/name_m]. I much prefer [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] to [name_f]Ivana[/name_f] as well. I think she could always go by [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] as well if she ended up not liking [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] (though I know you said you’re not a big fan of it!)
Some similar names:
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f]
[name_u]Evan[/name_u] - another “boy” name, but I consider this unisex! I think of actress [name_u]Evan[/name_u] [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] [name_m]Wood[/name_m], who wears it well!
[name_f]Ivalo[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivara[/name_f]
[name_u]Ivory[/name_u]
[name_f]Alvine[/name_f]/[name_f]Alvinia[/name_f]
[name_f]Alvona[/name_f]
[name_f]Aveen[/name_f]
[name_f]Aveline[/name_f]
[name_u]Bevin[/name_u]
[name_f]Davene[/name_f]
[name_f]Davina[/name_f]
[name_u]Devon[/name_u]
[name_f]Elvine[/name_f]
[name_f]Evadne[/name_f]
[name_u]Evian[/name_u]
[name_f]Evonna[/name_f]
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]
[name_f]Ivon[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivette[/name_f]
[name_u]Maven[/name_u]/[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Neve[/name_f]
[name_u]Raven[/name_u]
[name_m]Sylvan[/name_m]/[name_f]Sylvaine[/name_f]
[name_f]Valen[/name_f]
[name_f]Yvaine[/name_f]
Of course most of those aren’t super similar, but I tried to keep some similar sounds!! [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps a little!
It sounds very masculine to me, but I suppose it would work for a girl.
I would assume a boy if I read the name [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] on a class list; however, there are lots of names that were originally used for boys that parents are using for their girls these days!
Maybe you might like [name_u]Vivian[/name_u]?
For a girl, I would use [name_f]Ivana[/name_f], [name_f]Iva[/name_f] or [name_f]Vania[/name_f]/[name_m]Vanya[/name_m] (Russian nickname for [name_m]Ivan[/name_m]). [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] is a great alternative too and I adore @Hudson2016’s suggestion of [name_u]Vivian[/name_u].
Perhaps you would like [name_f]Vanessa[/name_f], [name_f]Vanda[/name_f]/[name_f]Wanda[/name_f], Viana or [name_f]Valencia[/name_f]?
[name_f]Yvonne[/name_f] was my first thought as an alternative, but I love all the previous suggestions!
While sound-wise [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] could work for a girl, I feel like most people will assume it belongs to a boy. That could get tiresome… or she could enjoy having an unconventional name (though personally, I wouldn’t do it).