The first name Ian

In 2025, 66 boys were named Ian, making it the 585th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 253 births (#138).

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

In 2025, 3,924 boys born in the United States were named Ian, the 83rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2005, when 6,688 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.

Spelled Ian in Finnish too.

• Ian Fleming
  British author (1908–1964)
• Ian McKellen
  British actor (born 1939)
• Ian McShane
  English actor (born 1942)
• Ian Somerhalder
  American actor (born 1978)
• Ian McEwan
  British author (born 1948)
• Ian Holm
  British actor (1931–2020)
• Ian Thorpe
  Australian swimmer, born 1982
• Seretse Khama Ian Khama
  Botswana politician, born 1953
• Ian Gillan
  English singer, born 1945
• Ian Curtis
  British musician (1956–1980)
• Ian Wright
  English footballer and commentator (born 1963)
• Ian Murdock
  American computer scientist, open source developer, entrepreneur (1973-2015)

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

All 54 names of Scottish Gaelic origin

What does the name Ian mean?

Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin.

What is the origin of the name Ian?

Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin.

How popular is the name Ian?

In 2025, 66 boys born in England and Wales were named Ian, ranking 585th. Its peak was 1996, with 253 births.

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

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 258,479 US babies named Ian since 1880 were boys.

When was Ian most popular?

2005 in the United States, when 6,688 babies were named Ian, its highest rank at 68th.

How do you pronounce Ian?

Ian is /ˈiː.ən/, 2 syllables.

What are other spellings of Ian?

Iain.