Ian
How to say it: EE-un · /ˈiən/
Scottish Gaelic form of John, meaning 'God is gracious'.
Ian was the 97th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 3,924 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2000s, its births are down about 26% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #107 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #97 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 3,924 |
| Share of births | 1 in 844 |
| Peak decade | 2000s |
| Change over 10 years | −26% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #107 |
| In France, 2025 | #889 among boys’ names, 30 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
The 2000s marked the high water for Ian. It holds near that level today but is expected to ease downward.
What goes with it
Small and smooth with soft sounds. Evan and Colin share its style.
Middle names that flow with Ian →
Honouring a Ian in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Ian is about 1 in 36.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #889 for boys in 2025.
Ireland: #266.
Famous people named Ian
- Ian McKellen (born 1939)British actor
- Ian McShane (born 1942)English actor
- Ian Somerhalder (born 1978)American actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Hurricane Ian 2022, retired name
Keep exploring
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