Noah Boy
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Vaughn
BoyWelsh· “little, junior”
- Meaning
- little, junior
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- VAWN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,153
- US babies 2025
- 183
- Best rank
- #348 (1949)
- Peak year
- 1949
Meaning and origin of Vaughn
Vaughn is a Welsh name that means “little, junior”.
Vaughn comes from the Welsh surname Fychan, a form of bychan, meaning little or junior. It was often used to distinguish a younger man from an older relative with the same name. As a first name, Vaughn has a sleek, modern sound that belies its age. The singer Sarah Vaughan helped make the surname familiar, and the actor Vince Vaughn gave it a contemporary face. Vaughn is short and confident and needs no nickname. Alternate spellings include Vaughan and Von.
Other spellings with the same sound: Von, Vaughan.
Popularity over time
Vaughn first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 125 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #348 in 1949, the same year it reached its highest count of 374 babies. In 2025, 183 babies were named Vaughn, and it ranked #1,153 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #564 in 1920, #361 in 1950, #674 in 1980, #918 in 2000, #939 in 2010, and #1,153 in 2025. Of the 21,364 US boys named Vaughn since records began, 12% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 2,432 babies. Since 2010, 3,327 more have been named Vaughn.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Donn, Galen, Linwood, Lon, and Lanny.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Vaughn ranked highest in Kansas, Utah, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #586 | 6 |
| Utah | #698 | 6 |
| Michigan | #713 | 11 |
| Colorado | #752 | 7 |
| New Jersey | #756 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Vaughn over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Vaughn is usually pronounced VAWN, with one syllable. It has six letters, starts with V and ends in “-hn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Von and Vaughan.
Middle names for Vaughn
A few middle names that flow with Vaughn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Vaughn
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Lists that include Vaughn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vaughn mean?
Vaughn is a Welsh name that means “little, junior”.
What is the origin of the name Vaughn?
Vaughn has Welsh roots. Vaughn comes from the Welsh surname Fychan, a form of bychan, meaning little or junior.
Is Vaughn a popular name?
Not especially. Vaughn ranked #1,153 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Vaughn a boy or girl name?
Vaughn is mainly a boy's name. About 92% of US babies named Vaughn over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Vaughn?
Vaughn is usually pronounced VAWN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings