How to say it
I · an
ˈi.ən
Masculine
Ian
God is gracious
What it means
Scottish form of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, 'Yahweh is gracious.' The Scottish form was rare outside Scotland until the 20th century.
Ian is the Scottish Gaelic form of John, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan ('Yahweh is gracious'). The Scottish Iain is the original spelling; Ian is the anglicized version. The name was largely confined to Scotland until the 20th century, when Ian Fleming (the James Bond novelist) and Ian McKellen kept it in the broader English-language eye. It peaked in the US in the early 2000s and is sliding gently but still in the top 100. Single syllable in Scottish pronunciation, two in most American usage.
How to spell Ian
The standard spelling is Ian. Common variants include Iain, Eoin, but Ian is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #65 in 2003, currently #83 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Two syllables EE-an in most US usage; one syllable EEN in Scottish pronunciation. Both are correct.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ian Fleming British author, creator of James Bond
- Ian McKellen English actor, Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto
Spelling variants
- Iain
- Eoin
Names with the same feeling
See Ian from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Ian mean?
- Scottish form of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, 'Yahweh is gracious.' The Scottish form was rare outside Scotland until the 20th century.
- What does Ian mean in Scottish Gaelic?
- In Scottish Gaelic, Ian means "God is gracious." Ian is the Scottish Gaelic form of John, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan ('Yahweh is gracious'). The Scottish Iain is the original spelling; Ian is the anglicized version. The name was largely confined to Scotland until the 20th century, when Ian Fleming (the James Bond novelist) and Ian McKellen kept it in the broader English-language eye. It peaked in the US in the early 2000s and is sliding gently but still in the top 100. Single syllable in Scottish pronunciation, two in most American usage.
- How do you pronounce Ian?
- Ian is pronounced ˈi.ən. Say it as I-an, with the stress on the "i" syllable.
- How do you spell Ian?
- The standard spelling is Ian. Common spelling variants include Iain, Eoin.
- Is Ian a boy or girl name?
- Ian is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Ian?
- Ian ranked #83 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.