| Meaning | God is gracious |
| Origin | English, Gaelic, Scottish |
| Gender | gender neutral |
| Opposite gender | Ian |
| Popularity | Popular |
| Length | 3 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | I-an |
Ian is a popular baby boy name with Scottish Gaelic origins and a strong connection to the name John. It carries a significant meaning, symbolizing God's grace and the gift of divine favor. With its simplicity and timeless appeal, Ian has gained popularity not only in Scotland but also in various English-speaking countries.
The name Ian has several variations, including Iain, Ewan, Evan, and Sean, providing parents with options while retaining the name's essence. It shares similarities with other popular names like Liam, Ethan, Owen, and Aidan, making it a familiar and relatable choice.
Throughout history and popular culture, many notable individuals bear the name Ian, including actors Ian McKellen and Ian Somerhalder, author Ian Fleming, and musician Ian Anderson. Fictional characters like Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park and Ian Gallagher from Shameless have further contributed to the name's recognition.
With its rich heritage and widespread usage, Ian remains a timeless and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name that combines tradition, spirituality, and contemporary appeal.
| I |
| Ianno |
| Ian McKellen | English actor |
| Ian Somerhalder | American actor |
| Ian Fleming | British author, creator of James Bond |
| Ian Holm | English actor |
| Ian Anderson | Scottish musician, lead vocalist of Jethro Tull |
| Ian Thorpe | Australian swimmer |
| Ian Curtis | English musician, lead singer of Joy Division |
| Ian Wright | English former footballer and sports broadcaster |
| Ian Kinsler | American professional baseball player |
| Ian Poulter | English professional golfer |
| Ian Bell | English cricketer |
| Ian McDiarmid | Scottish actor |
| Ian Rush | Welsh former footballer |
| Ian Hecox | American YouTube personality, member of Smosh |
| Ian Ziering | American actor |
| Ian Harding | American actor |
| Ian Desmond | American professional baseball player |
| Ian Gillan | English musician, lead vocalist of Deep Purple |
| Ian Brown | English musician, lead singer of The Stone Roses |
| Ian Robertson | Scottish rugby player and commentator |
| Ian Malcolm | Jurassic Park |
| Ian O'Shea | The Host |
| Ian Rider | Alex Rider series |
| Ian Chesterton | Doctor Who |
| Ian Kabra | The 39 Clues series |
| Ian Lightfoot | Onward |
| Ian Doyle | Criminal Minds |
| Ian Curtis | Control |
| Ian Duncan | Community |
| Ian Edgerton | Numb3rs |
| Ian Almeida | Money Heist |
| Ian Quinn | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D |
| Ian Rutherford | Supernatural |
| Ian Gallagher | Outlander |
| Ian Thomas | Pretty Little Liars |
| Ian Howe | National Treasure |
| Ian Hawke | Alvin and the Chipmunks |
| Ian Beale | EastEnders |