
The short answer
Vincent comes from the Roman cognomen Vincentius, derived from Latin vinco meaning "to conquer." It was popular among early Christians and borne by several saints, notably Vincent of Saragossa, martyred in the early 4th century. Behind the Name notes it has been used in English since the Middle Ages but did not become common until the 19th century. Famous bearers include Saint Vincent de Paul and painter Vincent van Gogh. It is pronounced VIN-sənt in English. In the United States it ranked #107 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name derives Vincent from the Roman cognomen Vincentius, itself from Latin vinco, "to conquer." The name was popular among early Christians and borne by many saints, most notably Vincent of Saragossa, martyred during Diocletian's persecutions in the early 4th century. As an English name it dates to the Middle Ages but only became common in the 19th century. Behind the Name cites Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) and painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) as famous bearers.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | vinco | to conquer |
| Ancient Roman | Vincentius | to conquer (cognomen from vinco) |
Popularity
Vincent ranked #107 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #107 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Vin, Vince, Vinnie, Vinny
Variants: None documented.
Related names: Vincenzo, Vicente, Vincente
What the name feels like
Vincent has a formal, slightly old-world feel, softened by casual nicknames like Vince and Vinnie; the saint and the painter both give it an artistic, faintly serious association.
Style tags: classic, saint's name, formal with casual nicknames, artistic association
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial opinion, not a documented fact from Behind the Name or the SSA data.
If you like this name
Names sharing Vincent's Latin/Roman roots, its sound, or its saint-name history.
Similar by sound
- Vicente
- Vincenzo
- Clement
Similar by origin
- Laurence
- Augustine
- Ambrose
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vincent mean?
Vincent means "to conquer." It comes from the Roman cognomen Vincentius, derived from Latin vinco, "to conquer."
Is Vincent a popular name?
Yes. Vincent ranked #107 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are nicknames for Vincent?
Common English nicknames listed by Behind the Name are Vin, Vince, Vinnie and Vinny.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Vincent — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, nicknames.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.