The first name Iain

Iain last appeared in the official list in 2021, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 1996, with 76 births (#319).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Iain with other names.

In 2025, 11 boys born in the United States were named Iain, the 7,357th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2003, when 126 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Iain Armitage
  American actor, born 2008
• Iain Duncan Smith
  British politician, born 1954
• Iain Macleod
  British politician, cabinet minister and contract bridge player (1913-1970)
• Iain Percy
  British sailor, born 1976
• Iain Pears
  British writer and art historian, born 1955
• Iain Hume
  Canadian soccer player, born 1983
• Iain Softley
  British film director, born 1956
• Iain Canning
  British film producer, born 1979
• Iain Brambell
  Canadian rower, born 1973
• Iain Dowie
  English football manager (born 1965)
• Iain Ramsay
  Australian association football player, born 1988
• Iain Stewart
  British politician (born 1972)

• Cameron
• Ian
• Callum
• Kenneth
• Donald
• Ronald
• Finlay
• Roy
• Keith
• Malcolm
• Ross
• Ewan
• Angus
• Knox
• Lachlan
• Duncan

All 54 names of Scottish Gaelic origin

What does the name Iain mean?

From Scottish Gaelic. Cognate of John; see there for more.

What is the origin of the name Iain?

From Scottish Gaelic. Cognate of John; see there for more.

How popular is the name Iain?

In 2021, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Iain, ranking 3,990th. Its peak was 1996, with 76 births.

Is Iain a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 2,911 US babies named Iain since 1880 were boys.

When was Iain most popular?

2003 in the United States, when 126 babies were named Iain, its highest rank at 1,181st.

What are other spellings of Iain?

Ian.