This collection presents 100 Male names that start with V, spanning from “Vachan” to “Väinö”. Many of these names come from Latin, Slavic, Germanic, and several South Asian languages, showing wide cultural variety. Use this list for baby naming, character creation, genealogical research, or cultural study.
Male names that start with V are personal names beginning with the letter V that men use across many cultures. They include classics like “Victor” and regional names like “Väinö,” showing Latin roots alongside Nordic and South Asian traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, and Notable bearers.
Name: The written given name; use it to scan options, compare spellings, and pick a form you prefer.
Origin: The linguistic or cultural source of the name; this helps you understand geographic roots and background.
Meaning: A short definition or translation that helps you judge significance and suitability for a child or character.
Notable bearers: Famous people or fictional characters associated with the name, so you know its cultural connotations.
Male names that start with V
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | Conqueror, victor | Latin | Top 250 (US), popular globally |
| Vincent | To conquer | Latin | Top 150 (US), popular in Europe |
| Vaughn | Little, small | Welsh | Top 1,000 (US) |
| Valentin | Strong, healthy, vigorous | Latin | Popular in France, Russia, Scandinavia |
| Vladimir | Of great power, ruler of peace | Slavic | Very popular in Eastern Europe |
| Viggo | War, battle | Old Norse | Popular in Scandinavia |
| Vikram | Valor, courageous | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vito | Life | Latin | Formerly Top 300 (US), now uncommon |
| Virgil | Staff bearer (disputed) | Latin | Moderately rare |
| Vance | Marshland | Old English | Top 1,000 (US) |
| Valentino | Strong, healthy | Italian, Spanish | Top 600 (US) |
| Vlad | To rule, power | Slavic | Common in Romania and Slavic countries |
| Vincenzo | Conquering | Italian | Top 600 (US), common in Italy |
| Vivek | Wisdom, discernment | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vasco | A Basque person | Basque | Common in Portugal and Spain |
| Van | Of (Dutch) or a popular Vietnamese name | Dutch, Vietnamese | Uncommon as a standalone name |
| Vernon | Place of alder trees | Old French, from Latin | Formerly Top 100, now uncommon (US) |
| Vishnu | All-pervading | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Viktor | Conqueror | German, Scandinavian, Slavic | Popular in Central and Eastern Europe |
| Vadim | Meaning uncertain, possibly “knowing” | Slavic | Common in Russia |
| Valerian | Strong, healthy | Latin | Rare |
| Valdemar | Famous ruler | Old German | Common in Scandinavia and Spain |
| Vasily | Royal, kingly | Russian, from Greek | Common in Russia |
| Vidal | Vital, of life | Spanish, Catalan from Latin | Uncommon |
| Vyacheslav | Greater glory | Slavic | Common in Russia and Ukraine |
| Volodymyr | Renowned ruler | Ukrainian | Very common in Ukraine |
| Väinö | Wide, slow-flowing river | Finnish | Popular in Finland |
| Varun | To envelop (the sky) | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Veer | Brave, heroic | Sanskrit, Hindi | Growing in popularity |
| Vihaan | Dawn, morning | Sanskrit | Very popular in India |
| Vijay | Victory | Sanskrit | Very popular in India |
| Vsevolod | Ruling all | Slavic | Common in Russia |
| Volker | People’s guard | Old German | Common in Germany |
| Ville | Resolute protector (from William) | Finnish | Very popular in Finland |
| Vitaly | Of life, vital | Russian, from Latin | Common in Russia and Ukraine |
| Vitus | Life | Latin | Rare |
| Vincas | Conquering | Lithuanian | Common in Lithuania |
| Vilhelm | Will-helmet, resolute protector | German, Scandinavian | Common in Scandinavia |
| Vittorio | Conqueror | Italian | Common in Italy |
| Vlastimil | Dear homeland, power of the homeland | Czech, Slovak | Common in Czechia and Slovakia |
| Valerius | To be strong | Roman | Rare |
| Vikas | Progress, development | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vinay | Modesty, leading | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vidor | Happy, cheerful | Hungarian | Uncommon |
| Vartan | Rose | Armenian | Common in Armenia |
| Vytautas | Chasing the people | Lithuanian | Very common in Lithuania |
| Vratislav | To return glory | Czech, Slavic | Common in Czechia |
| Vuk | Wolf | Serbian, Croatian | Popular in Serbia |
| Vojtech | Joyful soldier, comfort of the army | Czech, Slovak | Popular in Czechia and Slovakia |
| Vere | True | English, from Latin | Rare, aristocratic |
| Valiant | Brave, strong | English, from Latin | Very rare |
| Vulcan | To flash | Latin | Extremely rare |
| Viraj | Sovereign, splendid | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vimal | Pure, clean, spotless | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vesa | Sapling, young tree | Finnish | Common in Finland |
| Vali | Chosen, slain (disputed) | Old Norse | Rare |
| Vinh | Glory | Vietnamese | Common in Vietnam |
| Varian | Variable, versatile | Latin | Rare |
| Vjekoslav | Age of glory, eternal glory | Croatian, Serbian | Common in Croatia |
| Virgilio | Staff bearer (disputed) | Italian, Spanish | Common in Italy and Spanish-speaking countries |
| Vitale | Vital, of life | Italian | Uncommon |
| Vukasin | Son of the wolf | Serbian | Common in Serbia |
| Viliam | Resolute protector | Slovak, Croatian | Popular in Slovakia |
| Valeriu | To be strong | Romanian | Common in Romania |
| Valéry | To be strong | French | Uncommon for males today |
| Villads | Form of Oswald (divine power) | Danish | Popular in Denmark |
| Velimir | Great peace | Slavic | Uncommon |
| Vu | Rain, martial | Vietnamese | Very common in Vietnam |
| Valter | Power of the army | Scandinavian, German, Italian | Common in parts of Europe |
| Viren | Lord of heroes (from Virendra) | Hindi | Gaining popularity |
| Veniamin | Son of the right hand | Russian, Greek | Common in Russia, Greece |
| Ved | Knowledge, sacred lore | Sanskrit | Popular in India |
| Vinicio | Of the vine | Italian, Spanish | Uncommon |
| Vissarion | Wooded valley | Greek | Uncommon |
| Vig | Battle | Danish | Rare |
| Ventura | Good fortune | Spanish, Italian | Uncommon |
| Veselin | Cheerful | Bulgarian, Serbian | Common in Balkan countries |
| Valens | Strong, healthy, vigorous | Roman | Historical |
| Velvel | Wolf | Yiddish | Uncommon |
| Venceslao | Greater glory | Spanish, Italian | Uncommon |
| Verdi | Green | Italian | Extremely rare |
| Valeriy | To be strong | Russian | Common in Russia |
| Volf | Wolf | Yiddish, German | Uncommon |
| Vlado | To rule | Slavic | Common as a nickname |
| Vesper | Evening star | Latin | Rare, unisex |
| Verlyn | Meaning uncertain | English | Rare, old-fashioned |
| Virendra | Lord of heroes | Sanskrit | Common in India |
| Vergil | Staff bearer (disputed) | Latin | Rare |
| Viljo | Grain, abundance | Finnish | Uncommon |
| Vesemir | Willing to have peace | Slavic (literary) | Fictional, but gaining interest |
| Vello | Brotherhood | Estonian, Finnish | Uncommon |
| Vaman | Dwarf | Sanskrit | Uncommon |
| Vachan | Speech, promise | Sanskrit | Uncommon in India |
| Valeriano | Strong, healthy | Italian, Spanish | Rare |
| Vigilius | Watchful, vigilant | Latin | Historical |
| Vilibald | Bold will | German | Historical |
| Virginius | Meaning unknown, related to Virgil | Roman | Historical |
| Vespasian | Meaning uncertain | Roman | Historical |
| Voltaire | Meaning uncertain, possibly “the winged one” | French | Historical |
| Vercingetorix | King over warriors | Gaulish | Historical, not in modern use |
Descriptions
Victor
A classic, strong name borne by saints and kings. It feels both ancient and modern, a timeless choice for a boy.
Vincent
A sophisticated name with artistic flair, thanks to painter Vincent van Gogh. Common nicknames include Vince and Vinnie.
Vaughn
A sleek and cool surname-name that has a smooth, one-syllable appeal. It feels sophisticated and slightly mysterious.
Valentin
A romantic and charming alternative to Valentine, widely used across Europe. It feels gentle yet strong.
Vladimir
A powerful, regal name with deep roots in Russian history, borne by saints and grand princes, including Vladimir the Great.
Viggo
A strong and distinctive Scandinavian name brought to international attention by actor Viggo Mortensen. It feels rugged and artistic.
Vikram
A powerful and heroic name in Indian culture, often associated with legendary kings. It has a dignified and strong sound.
Vito
An energetic Italian name with Old World charm. Famously used for Vito Corleone in “The Godfather,” giving it a tough-guy image.
Virgil
A dignified, literary name associated with the great Roman poet who wrote the Aeneid. It has an intellectual, classical vibe.
Vance
A polished and concise surname-name that sounds both traditional and modern. It has a preppy, sophisticated feel.
Valentino
The dashing, romantic Italian version of Valentin. Associated with silent film star Rudolph Valentino and high fashion.
Vlad
A short, strong name, often a diminutive of Vladimir. Famously linked to Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.
Vincenzo
The lively Italian form of Vincent. It has a musical sound and offers the friendly nicknames Enzo, Vince, or Vinnie.
Vivek
A popular name in India that conveys intelligence and thoughtfulness. It’s a classic choice with a positive, aspirational meaning.
Vasco
A historic and adventurous name, famously borne by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who discovered a sea route to India.
Van
A cool, minimalist name that can be a short form of Vance or Ivan. It’s also a very common name in Vietnam.
Vernon
A gentle, old-fashioned name with literary ties to French writer Jules Verne and a pleasant, nature-based meaning.
Vishnu
A major name of deep religious significance in Hinduism. Vishnu is one of the principal deities, the preserver of the universe.
Viktor
A strong, sharp European spelling of Victor. It’s borne by Viktor Krum in the Harry Potter series, adding a modern magical touch.
Vadim
A handsome and enigmatic Russian name that is familiar but not overused in the English-speaking world.
Valerian
A romantic, botanical name from an ancient Roman family. The valerian plant is known for its calming properties.
Valdemar
A regal and powerful name of kings in Denmark and Sweden. It has a strong, historic feel but is rare in the US.
Vasily
The Russian equivalent of Basil. A classic, handsome name associated with Russian art, like painter Wassily Kandinsky.
Vidal
A vibrant name popular in Spanish-speaking regions. It’s the surname of author Gore Vidal, lending it a literary, intellectual air.
Vyacheslav
A classic Slavic name with a powerful, grand meaning. It can be shortened to the more accessible Slava.
Volodymyr
The Ukrainian form of Vladimir. It gained international prominence due to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A name of strength and leadership.
Väinö
A classic Finnish name from the national epic, the Kalevala. Väinämöinen was a wise, magical hero, giving the name a mythic quality.
Varun
The name of the Hindu god of water and oceans. It’s a popular and classic choice with a calm, elemental feel.
Veer
A short, strong, and increasingly stylish name from India that is easy to pronounce and has a powerful, positive meaning.
Vihaan
A beautiful and popular modern Indian name that signifies a new beginning or the first ray of sun.
Vijay
A classic and perennially popular name in India. It’s a straightforward and powerful choice celebrating success.
Vsevolod
A powerful and historic name of several Kievan Grand Princes. It has a regal, if somewhat imposing, sound.
Volker
A strong, traditional German name that is not widely used elsewhere. It has a solid, dependable feel.
Ville
The friendly and accessible Finnish short form of William. It has been a top name in Finland for decades.
Vitaly
A handsome Russian name that feels energetic and full of life, directly from its Latin root.
Vitus
The name of an early Christian saint, Saint Vitus, whose feast day was associated with dancing. A unique alternative to the more common Vito.
Vincas
The sturdy Lithuanian form of Vincent, offering a less common path to a classic name.
Vilhelm
The classic German and Scandinavian form of William. It’s a royal name in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.
Vittorio
The grand and operatic Italian version of Victor. It has a passionate and artistic flair, associated with director Vittorio De Sica.
Vlastimil
A patriotic and historically significant Slavic name with a strong, noble meaning.
Valerius
The ancient Roman family name from which Valerian is derived. It has a grand, classical feel perfect for a history buff.
Vikas
A popular and optimistic name in India that embodies growth and prosperity.
Vinay
A respected name in India that suggests humility, discipline, and good guidance.
Vidor
A light and cheerful Hungarian name with a lovely meaning. A rare but accessible choice for those seeking something different.
Vartan
An important name in Armenian culture, honoring Vartan Mamikonian, a 5th-century military and spiritual leader.
Vytautas
The name of a revered Grand Duke of Lithuania, considered a national hero. A powerful and patriotic choice in its native country.
Vratislav
A historic Slavic name borne by dukes of Bohemia. It has a strong, noble sound and can be shortened to Vratia or Slava.
Vuk
A short, powerful, and primal name meaning “wolf.” It was traditionally given to protect a child from evil spirits.
Vojtech
A classic Slavic name with a strong military yet positive meaning. It is the equivalent of the German Adalbert.
Vere
A short, chic, and ancient aristocratic name of Norman origin. It feels sophisticated, literary, and understated.
Valiant
A heroic virtue name made famous by the comic strip hero Prince Valiant. It’s a bold and aspirational choice.
Vulcan
The name of the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, and metalworking. A fiery mythological choice, also known from Star Trek.
Viraj
A regal and luminous name in India, meaning to rule or to shine. It has a poetic and powerful quality.
Vimal
A classic Indian name with a virtuous and positive meaning, suggesting purity of character.
Vesa
A gentle Finnish nature name with a fresh, youthful feel. It’s short, simple, and connected to growth and new beginnings.
Vali
A name from Norse mythology; Vali was a son of Odin who avenged his brother’s death. A short, strong, mythic choice.
Vinh
A popular and positive Vietnamese name that is easy to pronounce. It conveys a sense of honor and accomplishment.
Varian
A sleek and sophisticated name of Roman origin. It has a modern sound and was recently used for a character in Disney’s “Tangled” series.
Vjekoslav
A grand Slavic name with a powerful meaning, celebrating a long life of glory. It can be shortened to Vjeko.
Virgilio
The Italian and Spanish form of Virgil, giving the classical name a more melodic and romantic feel.
Vitale
The Italian form of the Latin Vitalis. Like Vito, it has an energetic meaning but a softer, more refined sound.
Vukasin
An elaboration of the name Vuk (wolf), this Serbian name is strong and evocative, rooted in nature and tradition.
Viliam
The Slovak and Croatian form of William, offering a familiar classic with a distinctively Slavic twist.
Valeriu
The Romanian form of Valerius, this is a classic, handsome name that is a staple in its home country.
Valéry
The French form of Valerius. While more common for females now, it has male bearers like poet Paul Valéry.
Villads
A friendly and energetic name that has become very fashionable for boys in Denmark in recent years.
Velimir
A beautiful Slavic name composed of elements meaning “great” and “peace.” It has a noble and serene quality.
Vu
A short, simple, and very common Vietnamese name. Its meaning can vary depending on the diacritics used.
Valter
A common European spelling variant of Walter. It feels familiar yet slightly more exotic than its English counterpart.
Viren
A stylish and modern-sounding short form of Virendra that stands strong on its own.
Veniamin
The Russian and Greek form of Benjamin. A classic biblical name that feels stately and international.
Ved
A short, strong, and intellectual name referring to the Vedas, the most ancient Hindu scriptures.
Vinicio
A lyrical name of Roman origin, famously borne by the Brazilian poet and musician Vinicius de Moraes.
Vissarion
An old, dignified name primarily used in Eastern Orthodox traditions. A notable bearer was Russian literary critic Vissarion Belinsky.
Vig
A short and punchy Danish name, a modern-sounding derivative of older names containing the ‘vig’ (battle) element, like Viggo.
Ventura
Meaning “good luck,” this is an optimistic and romantic-sounding name. It’s also a place name in California.
Veselin
A happy and upbeat Slavic name derived from the word “vesel” meaning cheerful or joyous.
Valens
A Roman cognomen that was borne by a 4th-century Roman emperor. It’s short, strong, and has an authoritative feel.
Velvel
A Yiddish name that is a diminutive of “volf” (wolf). It has a gentle sound but a fierce, protective meaning.
Venceslao
The Spanish and Italian form of Wenceslaus, the name of the “good king” from the Christmas carol.
Verdi
An Italian surname, famously belonging to composer Giuseppe Verdi. As a given name, it’s a rare and artistic choice.
Valeriy
The Russian and Bulgarian form of the Roman name Valerius. It’s a familiar and handsome classic in Eastern Europe.
Volf
The Yiddish and German form of Wolf. It’s a strong, evocative nature name with a long history of use.
Vlado
A common short form for Slavic names like Vladimir and Vladislav, often used as a standalone name in some regions.
Vesper
A poetic and sophisticated name traditionally used for a child born in the evening. While unisex, it has literary male bearers.
Verlyn
A mid-century American name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of Vernon and Lynn. It has a gentle, retro charm.
Virendra
A powerful and regal name in India, combining “vira” (hero) and the name of the god Indra. Often shortened to Viren.
Vergil
An alternate, slightly more streamlined spelling of Virgil, retaining all the gravitas of the original Roman poet’s name.
Viljo
A classic Finnish name with a simple, rustic charm and a meaning connected to harvest and prosperity.
Vesemir
The name of a mentor character in “The Witcher” series. It’s a Slavic-sounding creation that has a wise, worldly feel.
Vello
A name with a warm and positive meaning, popular in Estonia. It feels gentle yet solid.
Vaman
In Hinduism, Vamana is the fifth avatar of Vishnu, who appears as a dwarf. A name with deep mythological roots.
Vachan
An Indian name that means speech or promise, suggesting eloquence and trustworthiness.
Valeriano
A more elaborate and romantic version of Valerian, used in Italy and Spain. It has a flowing, lyrical sound.
Vigilius
The name of a 6th-century pope. It has a serious, dignified quality and a virtuous meaning.
Vilibald
An old German name, the equivalent of Willibald. It’s the name of an 8th-century English saint who did missionary work in Germany.
Virginius
An ancient Roman family name. Its most famous story is of a father who protected his daughter Virginia’s honor.
Vespasian
The name of a Roman emperor who founded the Flavian dynasty and built the Colosseum. A grand, classical name for a history lover.
Voltaire
The chosen pen name of the famous Enlightenment writer and philosopher. An intellectual and revolutionary choice.
Vercingetorix
The name of the chieftain who united the Gauls against Julius Caesar. A powerful, historical name, though very long for modern use.