VAN VEEN NAME CHANGE EXPLAINED
07/01/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
GIAN VAN VEEN was originally named Pieter Gerard and the reason his parents decided to change it has now been revealed.
World No3 Van Veen finished runner-up at the World Championship after losing 7-1 to Luke Littler.
The Dutchman also claimed the European Championship title last year to rise through the ranks on the PDC tour.
But before that the 23-year-old was originally registered as Pieter Gerard van Veen only for the tag to be disregarded.
Darts commentator Koert Westerman revealed on SBS6’s De Oranjewinter that Van Veen was renamed Gian by his parents after a boy with that name died in their local area.
He said: “It’s actually a strange, yet heartbreaking story.
“In the neighbourhood where Van Veen grew up, a young boy named Gian passed away.
“It made such an enormous impact in that area that his [Van Veen’s] parents decided to call their own son Gian, so that boy would never be forgotten.”
‘The Giant’ is now the highest-ranked Dutchman in darts, ahead of three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen has joined his compatriot in the 17-week Premier League campaign for the first time alongside fellow newcomer Josh Rock.
Presenter Westerman believes Van Veen has been a revelation on the oche.
He added: “A shame he lost the final, but he reacted brilliantly.
“He took the defeat. Everything about him is right: in character and as a darter.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
