Suggestions with last/first names of famous people or cities to help decide:
Boy: Evan (Lysacek), Ivan (Dixon, an actor), Stevan (Carell, granted we just call him Steve but still), Sullivan (ok I have no one here), (Rupert) Vance (Hawke, a politician)
Girl: Vanessa (Hudgens), Savannah (the city in Georgia), Vanna (White, the person on Wheel Of Fortune)
Congrats
Alex from Ann Arbor, MI
Certainly, if they both find a name they like, for first or middle! If you feel the kid might have trouble with the background to their name, you don’t have to tell them 'til they’re thirty, if you like. Though if he/she asks… Up to you. But I vote for first name Evanya if it’s a girl (mostly because I think it’s beautiful) and Ivan or Vanyel for a boy,both because they are wonderful book characters.
If they are unsure about using “van” in the name and want a stealthier way to reference the vehicle, how about using the initials? Choose a V first name and a W middle name. He or she will be V.W. in their minds, but the world need never know.
Donovan, Sullivan, Olivander, Evan, Nirvana
Curtis, if you really think putting “Van” in a name is a great way to recapture the magic of the trip, I’d suggest you do it for yourself. Change your own name from Curtis to Van or Vance or Evan or Ivan. Or, add it before your last name and sound vaguely Dutch - Curtis van Surname. Or just make it your nickname, as in, “Hi, I’m Curtis, but you can call me Van.” It’s your big idea, guy. You’re the one who should get stuck with it.
THE VAN IS A VW. HOW ABOUT VANNA WHITE IF ITS A GIRL.IF ITS A BOY NAME IT PAT SAJAK
I know the mother to be is worried about names that her kid will be teased with, however, this happens regardless of the name. Just don’t choose a name that rhymes with any curse words or body parts. And as many new mothers these days choose unique names with no personal meaning behind them, I like the idea of having a name with a personal history behind it. No matter the name, after a bit of time saying it over and over while looking into the eyes of your new love, the name no longer sounds novel, it merges with the child’s personality.
That said, how about… V as the first name and W as the middle name? Simple, easy to spell (lol) and it flows easily with any last name. (My daughter’s name is Wynter, she’s complimented on it daily) Best of luck to you.
I’m in support of a Van related name, but only if Tara and Curtis can settle on a name that makes them both satisfied. Tara did not seem too happy about the concept of giving their kid a Van name, so why not something more subtle?
Since it was a VW, then make the first and middle initials VW.
There are a lot of common/rare names starting with V or W, giving you a lot of options for both sexes. That way, you can pick names that are either ordinary or a little more exotic, depending on your tastes, but avoid anyone making fun of your kid for having a funny car-related name.
Not that I think names like Vann, Vance, Vanessa, Savanna, Vanya, etc. would confuse anyone or inspire childhood taunts.
I definitely hope to hear more from Tara in a future show. We should have her back for another Stump the Chumps to see if their naming advice worked out!
You must name the child something related to the van or the trip, heck, at this point maybe even Tomray is appropriate! Seriously, as someone who 1) has an uncommon name with a story behind it and 2) has a daughter named after a geographical place of significance, I can say it will be one of the best things you do for your little one - give a name with meaning. Either way, cheers to the health and happiness of your growing family!
Best,
Julissa
Yeah - I like incorporating the Westfalia aspect of this. How about Westlie Van Gogh? You get it all with this name. It’s a little masculine for a girl, but hey we’re talking about making a statement here.
How about VANWINKLE, I’m sure there will be alot of sleeping going on!!
Actually, “vanya”, when not correctly pronounced, is bathroom in Russian, so that’s probably not a good idea. Similar to Kasia in Slavic languages, which is a girls name if the “s” is hard, and is oatmeal if the “s” is slightly mushy/soft…
Good luck!!!
How about Elvira Vanagon (or Elmira Vanagon, if they visited that august upstate/southern tier town in NY…). They could also spell it Vanigan or Vadigan if they wanted to fuzz up the origin a bit.
Without reading the rest of the posts, I’m sure someone’s already suggested “Vanna + the color of their van,” a la Vanna White.
Charles, a former owner of a 1971 VW Beetle, which produced zero (O) progeny
If it’s a boy, I think they should name him “Vincent” for Vincent “Van” Gogh, that way the kid won’t have to explain his name all the time.
Congratulations Tara & Curtis!
How about:
Donovan (boy)
Donavan (girl)
Best of eveything to you and yours!
My great-grandmother’s name was Savannah and all her close friends called her “Van.” We named our daughter after her, but don’t shorten her name, although if we did, I think Van would be a nice variation.
Kevan (yeah, that’s a problem, too)
Vance is pretty easy–oh good ole great Uncle Vance
Navella (van spelled backwards, pretend it’s an obscure family name)
Evalyn (all the letters of van get in there)
Vivian would work! (no explanations needed, really)
I haven’t read all of the replies, so I don’t know if anyone has commented on this or not, but, I’m more worried about how - following the logic of the first one, and assuming that they have a second child - they’re going to explain to this child - how they got the name: “Kitchen Table”…!?! 
I see that I’m not the only one who thought of Vanderbilt–which the child may have been. Vanderbilt would make a great middle name. The first name is not so important, although Cornelius or Gloria would work well.
Evangeline should be the name! The name would be best since it includes “van” AND it would refer indirectly to the fabled Evangeline Trail - and hence would have an aspect of moving and being on the road - although I hope that conception did not occur while the van was moving on down the road, unless of course Tara and Mr. X were wearing their seat belts.
Bob from Ann Arbor.