Baby Names Ian Name Meaning By Sarah Vanbuskirk Sarah Vanbuskirk Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor living in the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. Learn about our editorial process Published on September 28, 2021 Print Charles Gullung / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Does Ian Mean? How Popular Is the Name Ian? Name Variations Similar Names Suggested Sibling Names Famous People Named Ian What Does Ian Mean? Ian is a strong but sweet name that also evokes a sense of whimsy and charm. Another benefits of the name include its easy spelling. Ian is of Scottish Gaelic origin and is the Scottish version of the name John. It comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan and means "God is gracious" or "the Lord is gracious." Ian can also be spelled Iain. The name is imbued with a sense of history and Scottish heritage, while also feeling fresh and lively. Ian confers a sense of intelligence, kindness, honor, and grace. Origin: Ian is a Scottish name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious."Gender: Typically, Ian is used as a boy name.Pronunciation: ee-un Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best. How Popular Is the Name Ian? Ian is a consistently popular name for American boys. According to the Social Security Administration's list of the top 1000 baby names, Ian has been in the top 100 names for the past 40 years. The name has been steadily used since the mid-20th century. In 2000, it was ranked 73 and has held its position fairly evenly since then. In 2020, the name had dropped slightly to the rank of 83. Ian is not commonly used as a name for baby girls, but that, of course, does not mean it can't be. In addition to being a popular name in America, Ian is a commonly used name in other English-speaking countries including England, Wales, and Scotland. Name Variations The following are possible variations of the name Ian: EanEannEionIannIainIonJohnJon 50 Gaelic Baby Names Similar Names Similar sounding names to Ian include the following: ColinColsonConnorDonDylanEdgarEliseEthanKeenanKieranMarinTeigan Other Scottish boy names include the following: AlastairArchibald or ArchieAveryBlaineBruceBrysonCameronDavisDuncanElliotFinleyGordonHarrisKennedyLindsayMaxwellPatonRorySinclairTavish Popular Scottish Baby Names Other boy names starting with I: IakavosIbrahimIgnacioIgorIkramImmanuelIndigoIsaacIsaiahIsaiahIsmaelIssaIvanIzaiah Suggested Sibling Names Looking for a sibling name for Ian? Here are some popular options: AdamAmyAlexAudreyEmmaEdmundHenryIndiaIrisIsabel or IsabelleJosephineMatthewMichaelMollyNoahOliverSarahScottVioletWalter The Meaning Behind Popular Celtic Names for Newborn Babies Famous People Named Ian Some notable people who are named Ian include: Ian Agol, American mathematicianIan Brown, English singer in the English rock band The Stone RosesIan Callaghan, English soccer player who played for Liverpool and was inducted into the British order of chivalry, the Most Excellent Order of the British EmpireIan Cole, American professional hockey player who won the Stanely Cup with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 and 2017Ian Fleming, English author of the "James Bond" spy novelsIan Hornak, American artist known for being a founder of the hyperrealist movementIan McEwan, British author of such novels as "Amsterdam" and "Atonement"Ian Mckellen, iconic English actor More Baby Names Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names in the U.S. 100 Biblical Baby Names 100 Color Baby Names Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Social Security Administration. Popularity of name Ian. Updated 2020.