van

Van is a term with several distinct meanings. In transportation, it refers to a class of motor vehicles with a box-like rear cargo area and a high roof, used for transporting goods or groups of people. Vans come in a range of sizes and configurations, including cargo vans for hauling and passenger vans used by fleets, shuttle services, and large families. They are typically powered by gasoline, diesel, or electric drivetrains and may feature dual sliding side doors and reinforced cargo spaces. The word van is sometimes used to describe the broader vehicle family that evolved from early wagon designs, and the category is distinguished from minivans, which are built on car platforms and emphasize passenger comfort.

Van is also the name of a city in eastern Turkey, the capital of Van Province, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city has a long history dating back to ancient times and has been shaped by Urartian, Armenian, Persian, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. Today it serves as an administrative and cultural center for the region and is known for its historic sites and proximity to Lake Van and nearby mountains.

In naming, Van appears as a surname and as part of given-name usage in various cultures. In Dutch and Flemish contexts, van often functions as a prepositional element in surnames meaning from or of, and it is found in many Western names as both a surname component and, less commonly, a standalone given name. Notable uses in culture and public life arise from individuals bearing the name in different fields.