Erwan
Fact sheet
- Name
- Erwan
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
Erwan is the Breton form of the Indo-European name Ivo, which carries the meaning "the yew." The origin of the name can be traced back to the Old High German word īwa.
What does the name Erwan mean?
Erwan is a Breton variant of the Indo-European name Ivo and means "the yew." The name traces back to the Old High German word īwa and the Proto-Germanic *īwaz for "yew," which is also related to the Celtic term ivo as well as the Proto-Celtic *ivos. Since bows were once made from yew wood, the name can also be metaphorically interpreted as "the archer." Erwan is widely used in French-speaking areas and is less common in the spelling Erwann. Popular French variants of Ivo include Youenn, Yves, and Yvon. Other forms of Ivo are Evo, Ives, Iwo, and Yvo.
Where does the name Erwan come from?
The first name Erwan has Celtic and Old Germanic roots and means "the yew." In the Old Germanic language, the word for yew is *īwaz (Proto-Germanic) as well as īwa (Old High German), and in Celtic, it is *ivos (Proto-Celtic) and ivo. The languages in which this name appears are Breton and French.
How do you pronounce Erwan?
The pronunciation of Erwan is two syllables and fluid. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "Er-wan" [ˈɛʁvan], combining a calm beginning with an open, slightly swinging ending syllable. The "w" provides a gentle transition, while the "a" gives the name a certain breadth. This makes Erwan appear balanced and harmonious, with a slight Celtic influence.
When is the name day of Erwan?
The name days of Erwan are celebrated on April 24, May 19, and December 23.
Popularity
Erwan is a rare first name in Germany. Currently, it ranks 5,840th in the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2013 at rank 2,482. In the last ten years, the name has been used about 30 times as a first name, placing it 4,630th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 4,384th.
Nicknames & pet names
Eri / Ero / Erwano / Erwin / Erwinzowitsch / Erwo / Wanou
Famous people
- Erwan Bergot (French officer)
- Erwan Berthou (poet and neo-Druid bard)
- Erwan Castex (French musician)
- Erwan Käser (Swiss cross-country skier)
- Erwan Quintin (French football player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Erwan
What does the name Erwan mean?
Erwan is a Breton form of the Indo-European name Ivo and means "the yew." The name is also related to the Celtic term ivo and can be metaphorically interpreted as "the archer," since bows were made from yew wood.
Where does the name Erwan come from?
Erwan has Celtic and Old Germanic roots. The term for yew in the Old Germanic language is *īwaz (Proto-Germanic) and īwa (Old High German), while in Celtic, the term *ivos (Proto-Celtic) and ivo is used.
How popular is the name Erwan?
Erwan is particularly common in French-speaking areas, while the spelling Erwann is less frequently seen. Popular French variants of the name Ivo include Youenn, Yves, and Yvon.