Ian: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced EE-uhn · 2 syllables
Ian means “God is gracious (Scottish form of John)”, from Scottish.
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eoin.
- Meaning
- God is gracious (Scottish form of John)
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- EE-uhn
- US rank (2025)
- #83
- US babies a year
- about 4,419 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2000
How popular is Ian?
Ian was the #83 name in the US in 2025, given to 3,932 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 2000.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #83 |
| England & Wales | #599 |
| Scotland | #350 |
| Ireland | #255 |
| Norway | #259 |
| Canada | #177 |
| Australia | #247 |
How old are people named Ian?
Half of US adults named Ian are older than 32; most are between 19 and 54. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Ian
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Ian have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Ian
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Ian
What does the name Ian mean?
Ian means “God is gracious (Scottish form of John)”. It comes from Scottish.
How do you pronounce Ian?
Ian is pronounced EE-uhn.
How popular is the name Ian?
Ian was the #83 name in the US in 2025, given to 3,932 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 2000.
How old are people named Ian?
Half of US adults named Ian are older than 32. Most are between 19 and 54.