Vancho

Vancho is a South Slavic masculine given name used primarily in Macedonian and occasionally in Bulgarian tradition, functioning as a diminutive or hypocoristic form of Ivan. Ivan itself derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning God is gracious, and entered Slavic languages through Greek Ioannes. The affectionate suffix gives Vancho a familiar, intimate character typical of Balkan pet-name formations. Related forms include Vanche, Vanco, and the base name Ivan, which has cognates across virtually all European languages.