PS Just in case anyone thinks I have invented the American Votan: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/v/votan.html

Strange thing is that he is also said to have lived in the 7th century AD. Instead of an ancient Siberian connection - how about a Dark Age trans-Atlantic crossing? He is hopelessy mixed up now with the Mayan 2012 end of the world nonsense.

Any thoughts on Don, Danube and the origins of the Danes? Their founding father was said to be Dan or Danu. Then there are the Irish Tuatha de Danaan - the People of Danu, traditionally said to have come fron the northern isles of Greece.
Should we just ignore all these "origin myths" and name similarities or probe for meanings?