Ian: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: ee-ahn
Origin: Scotland
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Jun 30, 2025 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Northern Europe
Meaning: The Lord is gracious

A timeless classic, Ian is the Scottish form of John, meaning “The Lord is gracious.” With its crisp one-syllable charm, Ian has long been favored in the UK and worldwide for its simplicity and strength. It’s been worn by influential figures such as Ian McKellen, the celebrated actor known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and X-Men, and Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series.

Ian Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Ian is currently #1537 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Ian is currently #713 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Nature: Ian is currently #701 on Kiindred Nature Names
gender-male Boy Nature: Ian is currently #327 on Kiindred Boy Nature Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Ian is currently #866 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Ian is currently #394 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names
chat-overall Australian: Ian is currently #881 on Kiindred Australian Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Source: Social Security Administration

Famous People Named Ian

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Ian, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Ian McKellen: Ian McKellen is an English actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Hobbit" trilogy, and "X-Men" films.
  • Ian Somerhalder: Ian Somerhalder is an American actor known for his roles in "The Vampire Diaries" and "Lost."
  • Ian Holm: Ian Holm was an English actor known for his roles in "Chariots of Fire," "Alien," and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He passed away in 2020.
  • Ian Curtis: Ian Curtis was an English singer-songwriter and lead singer of the post-punk band Joy Division. He passed away in 1980.
  • Ian Fleming: A renowned author, best known for creating the James Bond series. His work has had a significant impact on the literary world and popular culture.
  • Ian Gillan: The lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Deep Purple, known for his powerful and wide-ranging singing voice.
  • Ian Harding: An American actor, recognized for his role as Ezra Fitz in the TV series Pretty Little Liars.
  • Ian Bohen: An American actor, known for his roles in TV series like Teen Wolf and Yellowstone.
  • Ian McShane: A British actor, recognized for his roles in TV series like Deadwood and American Horror Story.

 

Baby Names A-Z

Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births, Social Security Administration

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