Vaughn is an English spelling of the Welsh surname Vaughan, from the word fychan, meaning "small" or "little", originally a nickname for a younger son. It has long been a quiet staple in the United States, with a vintage, mid-century feel today. Vaughn ranked number 918 in 2000, peaked at number 737 in 2006 and has settled just outside the top 1000 at number 1153 in 2025.