"to prevail, to win"
Vincent
Pronunciation: [ v-IHNS-uhnt ]
A conqueror's name made immortal by a tortured genius
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Vincent
Vincent derives from the Latin name Vincentius, from 'vincere' meaning 'to conquer' or 'to prevail.' Saint Vincent of Saragossa, a 3rd-century Spanish deacon and martyr, was one of the most venerated saints in early medieval Spain and France. The name spread through Europe via Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), the French priest who founded charitable organizations still active worldwide.
Vincent experienced a long decline through the mid-20th century but has been making a strong comeback since the 2010s, riding the wave of Victorian and Edwardian name revivals. The renewed interest in classic European names with artistic associations, particularly tied to Vincent van Gogh, has made it fashionable.
Vincent van Gogh is arguably the most emotionally resonant artist in Western history, and his name has become synonymous with artistic genius, intensity, and tragic beauty. Don McLean's 1971 song 'Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)' reinforced this association for generations.
Fun Facts
- Vincent van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime; today his works regularly sell for over $100 million
- Don McLean wrote 'Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)' after reading a biography of van Gogh while being moved to tears
- Saint Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633, now one of the largest Catholic charitable organizations in the world
Vincent in Other Languages
Famous People Named Vincent
Vincent D'Onofrio
Actor
1959
American actor known for his intense character portrayals, including Edgar the Bug in Men in Black and Kingpin in Marvel...
American actor known for his intense character portrayals, including Edgar the Bug in Men in Black and Kingpin in Marvel's Daredevil series
Vincent Price
Actor
1911
American actor famous for his performances in horror films and his distinctive voice, earning him the title of the maste...
American actor famous for his performances in horror films and his distinctive voice, earning him the title of the master of horror cinema
Vincent van Gogh
Artist
1853
Dutch Post-Impressionist painter whose emotionally charged works including Starry Night are among the most recognized in...
Dutch Post-Impressionist painter whose emotionally charged works including Starry Night are among the most recognized in art history
Vincent de Paul
Religious
1581
French Catholic priest who dedicated his life to serving the poor and founded multiple charitable organizations still ac...
French Catholic priest who dedicated his life to serving the poor and founded multiple charitable organizations still active today
Vincent Vega Fictional
Other
Fictional hitman played by John Travolta in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), one of cinema's most iconic charact...
Fictional hitman played by John Travolta in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), one of cinema's most iconic characters
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #111
- Total SSA Count
- 3,158
- Cultural Origins
- French English Italian Spanish Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Vincent is also used as a girl name, ranked #10286.
View Vincent as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Vincent and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Vincent sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Vincent
What does the name Vincent mean?
What is the origin of the name Vincent?
Is Vincent a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Vincent?
How popular is the name Vincent?
What are common nicknames for Vincent?
What are good middle names for Vincent?
What are good sibling names for Vincent?
How many syllables does Vincent have?
Is Vincent a common or rare name?
About the Name Vincent
Vincent is a boy name with French, English, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch origins . The name means "to prevail, to win" in Latin .
Is Vincent a boy or girl name? Vincent is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #111 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,286. Vincent is more commonly used as a boy name.
Vincent is currently ranked #111 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Vincent has 2 syllables and is pronounced v-IHNS-uhnt, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Vincent include Vince, Vinnie, and Vin. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Vincent include Vincenzo, Vince, Vincente . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.