Meaning & Origin
A surname from Welsh.
Vaughn is a boy's and girl's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Welsh surname Fychan, an anglicization of the Welsh word bychan, meaning 'little, small' — originally a byname for a younger son or shorter person.
Despite meaning 'little,' Vaughn carries considerable presence — one syllable with a sophisticated V opening and a silent GH that gives it a slightly mysterious written quality. Actor Vince Vaughn, jazz musician Sarah Vaughan, and the name's sleek Welsh heritage all contribute to its quiet distinctiveness.