Ian Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Ian Name Meaning

Fact: Ian is a name associated with many notable figures in Scottish history and has been borne by several members of the Scottish nobility.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Ian Overview

Meaning

God is gracious, the Lord is gracious

Gender

Boy

Origin

Scottish

Etymology

A Scottish name derived from the Hebrew name “Yochanan”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈiːən/

Popularity

Popular in English-speaking countries, often found in the top 100 boys’ names.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

3 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Short, Modern, Classic, Cute

Associated Traits

Gracious, strong, reliable, approachable

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Significant in Christian tradition, as a variant of John, associated with divine grace and favor.

Name Day

July 5th
A Deep Dive

Ian Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

John, Eoin, Jean, Juan, Johann, Ivan

Common Nicknames

Ian, I, Yan, Johnny

Diminutives

Iany, Ianie, I, Yan

Famous People

  • Ian McKellen
    (English Actor)
  • Ian Fleming
    (English Author)
  • Ian Somerhalder
    (American Actor)
  • Ian Thorpe
    (Australian Swimmer)
  • Ian Curtis
    (English Musician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Ian Malcolm
    ("Jurassic Park," Movie)
  • Ian Gallagher
    ("Shameless," TV Series)
  • Ian
    ("Jumanji: The Next Level," Movie)

Places

  • Ian Fleming International Airport
    (St. Mary Parish, Jamaica)
  • Mount Ian
    (Arizona, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Ian?

The name Ian means “God is gracious” or “Lord is gracious.” This meaning conveys the idea of divine favor and blessing, providing a positive and spiritual feeling.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ian?

Ian is of Scottish Gaelic origin and is the Scottish form of the name John. The name John comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, which means “Yahweh is gracious.”

Over time, Yohanan evolved into various forms in different languages, with Ian becoming the common form in Scotland.

Ian Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ian in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#722022#702023
Top 3 Rankings#652003#671995#672002

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ian

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202370
(+2 from 2022)
4538
(+41 from 2022)
0.24782
202272
(+8 from 2021)
4497
(+198 from 2021)
0.24010
202180
(+3 from 2020)
4299
(+35 from 2020)
0.22945
202083
(-2 from 2019)
4264
(-285 from 2019)
0.23053
201981
(-2 from 2018)
4549
(-154 from 2018)
0.23671
201879
(-3 from 2017)
4703
(-328 from 2017)
0.24196
201776
(+2 from 2016)
5031
(-47 from 2016)
0.25420
201678
(-2 from 2015)
5078
(-250 from 2015)
0.25069
201576
(+1 from 2014)
5328
(-131 from 2014)
0.26061
201477
(+3 from 2013)
5459
(+28 from 2013)
0.26639
201380
(-2 from 2012)
5431
(-263 from 2012)
0.26877
201278
(-6 from 2011)
5694
(+75 from 2011)
0.28061
201172
No change from 2010
5619
(+59 from 2010)
0.27661
201072
(+1 from 2009)
5560
(-247 from 2009)
0.27064
200973
(+7 from 2008)
5807
(+84 from 2008)
0.27380
200880
(-5 from 2007)
5723
(-527 from 2007)
0.26247
200775
(+5 from 2006)
6250
(+97 from 2006)
0.28216
200680
(-11 from 2005)
6153
(-533 from 2005)
0.28066
200569
No change from 2004
6686
(+179 from 2004)
0.31429
200469
(-4 from 2003)
6507
(+41 from 2003)
0.30790
200365
(+2 from 2002)
6466
(+105 from 2002)
0.30773
200267
(+3 from 2001)
6361
(+277 from 2001)
0.30779
200170
(+3 from 2000)
6084
(+198 from 2000)
0.29414
200073
(-1 from 1999)
5886
(+436 from 1999)
0.28185
199972
(+1 from 1998)
5450
(+97 from 1998)
0.26729
199873
(-3 from 1997)
5353
(+144 from 1997)
0.26400
199770
No change from 1996
5209
(-200 from 1996)
0.26074
199670
(-3 from 1995)
5409
(-186 from 1995)
0.26995
199567
(+7 from 1994)
5595
(+328 from 1994)
0.27817
199474
(-4 from 1993)
5267
(-131 from 1993)
0.25840
199370
(-2 from 1992)
5398
(-137 from 1992)
0.26134
199268
(+5 from 1991)
5535
(+211 from 1991)
0.26368
199173
(-3 from 1990)
5324
(-136 from 1990)
0.25117
199070
(-2 from 1989)
5460
(+513 from 1989)
0.25371
198968
(+9 from 1988)
4947
(+632 from 1988)
0.23602
198877
(+4 from 1987)
4315
(+390 from 1987)
0.21551
198781
(+4 from 1986)
3925
(+211 from 1986)
0.20126
198685
(-7 from 1985)
3714
(-285 from 1985)
0.19327
198578
No change from 1984
3999
(+205 from 1984)
0.20780
198478
(-1 from 1983)
3794
(+129 from 1983)
0.20216
198377
(+6 from 1982)
3665
(+88 from 1982)
0.19666
198283
(+18 from 1981)
3577
(+647 from 1981)
0.18954
1981101
(+3 from 1980)
2930
(+22 from 1980)
0.15733
1980104
(+3 from 1979)
2908
(+355 from 1979)
0.15679
1979107
(+10 from 1978)
2553
(+380 from 1978)
0.14252
1978117
(+2 from 1977)
2173
(-114 from 1977)
0.12718
1977119
(+16 from 1976)
2287
(+349 from 1976)
0.13379
1976135
(+9 from 1975)
1938
(+219 from 1975)
0.11871
1975144
(+4 from 1974)
1719
(+64 from 1974)
0.10595
1974148
(+32 from 1973)
1655
(+352 from 1973)
0.10152
1973180
(+9 from 1972)
1303
(+54 from 1972)
0.08075
1972189
(+13 from 1971)
1249
(+49 from 1971)
0.07461
1971202
(+20 from 1970)
1200
(+83 from 1970)
0.06601
1970222
(+31 from 1969)
1117
(+290 from 1969)
0.05864
1969253
(+23 from 1968)
827
(+111 from 1968)
0.04521
1968276
(-16 from 1967)
716
(-55 from 1967)
0.04033
1967260
(+36 from 1966)
771
(+150 from 1966)
0.04333
1966296
(+49 from 1965)
621
(+132 from 1965)
0.03417
1965345
(+38 from 1964)
489
(+60 from 1964)
0.02581
1964383
(+39 from 1963)
429
(+69 from 1963)
0.02116
1963422
(+52 from 1962)
360
(+79 from 1962)
0.01744
1962474
(+35 from 1961)
281
(+38 from 1961)
0.01337
1961509
(+1 from 1960)
243
(+1 from 1960)
0.01127
1960510
(+32 from 1959)
242
(+34 from 1959)
0.01118
1959542
(-2 from 1958)
208
(+4 from 1958)
0.00960
1958540
(-9 from 1957)
204
(-9 from 1957)
0.00947
1957531
(+12 from 1956)
213
(+20 from 1956)
0.00973
1956543
(+11 from 1955)
193
(+17 from 1955)
0.00899
1955554
(+4 from 1954)
176
(+5 from 1954)
0.00842
1954558
(+11 from 1953)
171
(+14 from 1953)
0.00826
1953569
(+71 from 1952)
157
(+37 from 1952)
0.00784
1952640
(+43 from 1951)
120
(+16 from 1951)
0.00608
1951683
(-63 from 1950)
104
(-19 from 1950)
0.00544
1950620
(+58 from 1949)
123
(+21 from 1949)
0.00676
1949678
(+39 from 1948)
102
(+15 from 1948)
0.00566
1948717
(-61 from 1947)
87
(-24 from 1947)
0.00488
1947656
(+48 from 1946)
111
(+26 from 1946)
0.00598
1946704
(+63 from 1945)
85
(+21 from 1945)
0.00515
1945767
(-13 from 1944)
64
(-4 from 1944)
0.00467
1944754
(+70 from 1943)
68
(+4 from 1943)
0.00490
1943824
(-106 from 1942)
64
(-16 from 1942)
0.00440
1942718
(+80 from 1941)
80
(+18 from 1941)
0.00568
1941798
(+43 from 1940)
62
(+6 from 1940)
0.00494
1940841
(-65 from 1939)
56
(-5 from 1939)
0.00472
1939776
(+121 from 1938)
61
(+12 from 1938)
0.00538
1938897
(-28 from 1937)
49
(-1 from 1937)
0.00431
1937869
(+55 from 1936)
50
(+6 from 1936)
0.00457
1936924
(+16 from 1935)
44
(-1 from 1935)
0.00413
1935940
(+68 from 1934)
45
(+4 from 1934)
0.00421
19341008
(+273 from 1933)
41
(+14 from 1933)
0.00386
19331281
(-224 from 1932)
27
(-13 from 1932)
0.00265
19321057
(-43 from 1931)
40
(-3 from 1931)
0.00372
19311014
(+7 from 1930)
43
(-2 from 1930)
0.00402
19301021
(+251 from 1929)
45
(+14 from 1929)
0.00398
19291272
(-162 from 1928)
31
(-9 from 1928)
0.00280
19281110
(+327 from 1927)
40
(+13 from 1927)
0.00351
19271437
(+78 from 1926)
27
(+3 from 1926)
0.00232
19261515
(+291 from 1925)
24
(+5 from 1925)
0.00210
19251806
(-392 from 1924)
19
(-9 from 1924)
0.00165
19241414
(+230 from 1923)
28
(+6 from 1923)
0.00240
19231644
(+1370 from 1922)
22
(+13 from 1922)
0.00194
19223014
(-861 from 1921)
9
(-6 from 1921)
0.00080
19212153
(+613 from 1920)
15
(+5 from 1920)
0.00132
19202766
(+111 from 1919)
10
(+1 from 1919)
0.00091
19192877
(-334 from 1918)
9
(-2 from 1918)
0.00089
19182543
(-850 from 1917)
11
(-8 from 1917)
0.00105
19171693
(+256 from 1916)
19
(+4 from 1916)
0.00198
19161949
(-71 from 1915)
15
No change from 1915
0.00162
19151878
(+223 from 1914)
15
(+5 from 1914)
0.00170
19142101
(+172 from 1913)
10
(+3 from 1913)
0.00146
19132273
(-4 from 1912)
7
(+1 from 1912)
0.00131
19122269
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00133
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Ian

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#632021#562022#542023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#632021#492022#532023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#622021#572022#562023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1072021#1242022#1122023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#662021#502022#492023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1342021#1642022#1502023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#942021#862022#762023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1462021#1702022#1592023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#512021#492022#502023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#982021#662022#882023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#722021#792022#682023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1062021#792022#582023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#972021#892022#682023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#882021#812022#672023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1392021#852022#1152023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#762021#902022#592023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1062021#832022#742023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#642021#512022#442023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1142021#1312022#1132023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1492021#1402022#2542023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#902021#1082022#1092023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#982021#1232022#1272023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1062021#912022#882023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#982021#1092022#1072023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1522021#1292022#742023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1022021#1172022#1122023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1422021#1262022#1542023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1372021#1672022#772023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1012021#1162022#1372023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#732021#1142022#832023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1212021#1292022#912023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1372021#1032022#922023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#992021#712022#802023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#472021#862022#1272023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1692020#1282021#1762022

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1182021#2552022#1292023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#802021#1852022#782023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1252021#1142022#1002023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#922021#1532022#532023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2122021#1742022#1032023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#852021#942022#1382023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1412021#2322022#2472023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1532021#1712022#1392023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#712021#652022#1172023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1112020#1662021#952022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1622021#1492022#1072023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2452019#1522020#2162021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1292021#2552022#1942023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1122013#1382014#1292015

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#872019#1202020#2592022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#782020#912022#1122023

Popularity Rankings for Ian in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#92021#82022#82023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#362018#282019#192021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#392019#332020#332021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#332013#382014#422015

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#352020#422021#352022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#362020#362021#482022

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#502019#392020#592021

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#522020#532021#512022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#732020#812021

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#842021#832022#742023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#781987#771988#781989

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1522021#1342022#862023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1352022#1292023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1792007#1582008#1912011

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1982004

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2022020#2222021#2252022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2092021#2092022#2262023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2712021#3292022#2432023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2702021#3492022#2652023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3322021#3242022#2702023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3472020#3122021#3512022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3722021#3632022#3212023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4182019#4142022#3482023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3632021#3992022#3512023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6282019#5982020#5512021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ian a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ian is traditionally a name for boys. While it is predominantly used for males, it can occasionally be used for girls, though this is much less common.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ian

Ian in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Ian McKellen (Actor, born 1939): A British actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" series, renowned for his contributions to stage and film.
  • Ian Fleming (Author, 1908-1964): A British author best known for creating the James Bond series of spy novels.
  • Ian Somerhalder (Actor, born 1978): An American actor famous for his role as Damon Salvatore in the TV series "The Vampire Diaries."
  • Ian Thorpe (Swimmer, born 1982): An Australian swimmer, often regarded as one of the greatest freestyle swimmers, winning five Olympic gold medals.
  • Ian Curtis (Musician, 1956-1980): A British singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of the post-punk band Joy Division.
  • Ian Malcolm ("Jurassic Park," 1993, Movie): A fictional character portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, known for his role as a chaotician in the "Jurassic Park" series.
  • Ian Gallagher ("Shameless," 2011, TV Series): A character from the American TV series "Shameless," known for his complex and compelling storyline.
  • Ian ("Jumanji: The Next Level," 2019, Movie): A minor character in the action-adventure film, part of the Jumanji franchise.
  • Ian Fleming International Airport (St. Mary Parish, Jamaica): An airport named in honor of the famous author Ian Fleming, located near his Goldeneye estate.
  • Mount Ian (Arizona, USA): A mountain in Arizona, known for its natural beauty and hiking trails.

Similar Names to Ian

Sibling Names for Ian

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Ian is a name worth your time to do some researches. While at it, drop some of your ideas in the comment section to let me know what you think.

You should also share this read about Ian with others so they can diversify their name options for their baby.

Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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