Vardan... a little-known classic possessive of a rare elegance. Amidst the vast spectrum of names, where mellifluous floral whispers predominantly grace the feminine, Vardan is a solitary bloom, a symphony of strength and grace intertwined. Listen to the voice of the roses... can you hear them sing? Vardan certainly stands out. Like a dew-kissed rose in the rainy garden of words, Vardan is a symbol of endurance and refinement. This name is further proof that flowers are just as masculine as they are associated with femininity. A handsome choice!
It's probably a good idea to note that there are various sources that state that Vardan is an Armenized name of Parthian origin. Since Parthian is a now-extinct Iranian language, this means that the name is ultimately of Iranian origin. Listed below are a few examples of sources that claim the name is of Iranian origin:Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2431 (in English)Http://name.interes.ge/dreams.php?action=view&id=384&from=action=search|word=%E1%83%95%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C%7Ctype=latest (in Georgian)Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D5%8E%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%B6#Old_Armenian (in English)(The name Vardan is also used in modern Georgia, hence the Georgian source. The Georgian source claims it means "hero", by the way.)Also, this source (under the paragraph 'Proper names') claims that Vardan came from the Middle Persian name Wardâ:Http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Culture/iranian_elements_georgian.htmBut even if the name is ultimately of Iranian origin, then it is still possible for the meaning of "rose" to stand (if we, for a moment, dismiss the possibility that the name may have a more military meaning). After all, the Armenian word "vard" meaning "rose" ultimately came from Parthian 'varta' or 'wâr' meaning "rose". Also check out these sources:Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2425Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D9%84#Etymology_2Also compare Arabic وردة (wárda) meaning "rose" at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A9#ArabicAll in all, the name isn't necessarily "born and bred in Armenia", i.e. not necessarily originally derived from the Armenian word for "rose". Instead, it can be viewed as the Armenian form of an (older) Parthian/Persian name. That Parthian/Persian name may mean "rose", but could also have a more military meaning, as some of the sources have mentioned.
Vardan is also used in Georgia, although it is less common there than Varden (which is most likely the proper Georgian form of Vardan).In Georgian, Vardan is written as: ვარდან.A known bearer of this name was the medieval Georgian nobleman Vardan Dadiani: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vardan_Dadiani.