Ian
Ian: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈiː.ən/ · /ˈaɪ.ən/
Meaning and origin of Ian
- A male given name from Scottish Gaelic Eòin, equivalent to English John.
Etymology
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin.
How popular is Ian?
Since 1880, 815 girls and 257,664 boys in the U.S. have been named Ian (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2747 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #65 in 2003. In 2025 it ranked #83 for boys, with 3,932 babies given the name.
More Scottish boy names
Sibling name ideas for Ian
Sister and brother names that share Ian's Scottish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ian FAQ
What does the name Ian mean?
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic Eòin, equivalent to English John. Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin.
What is the origin of the name Ian?
Ian is listed as a name of Scottish origin.
How popular is the name Ian?
Since 1880, 815 girls and 257,664 boys in the U.S. have been named Ian (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2747 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #65 in 2003. In 2025 it ranked #83 for boys, with 3,932 babies given the name.
Is Ian a boy or girl name?
Ian is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 815 girls and 257,664 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.