Ian Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationEE-an / iːənScottish; Hebrew
Meaning
Scottish: God is gracious; Hebrew: Gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
Ian is a Scottish form of the name John, which has roots in Hebrew. It has been used in Scotland since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity in various English-speaking countries. The name reflects a rich cultural heritage and has been embraced in many forms across different languages.
Trend Summary
Ian has maintained a steady level of popularity in the United States, often ranking within the top 100 names for boys.
Similar Names
Variants
- Iain
- Iyan
International Variants
- Ivan (Russian)
- Juan (Spanish)
- Giovanni (Italian)
- Jan (Dutch)
Famous people named Ian
Ian McKellen is a renowned English actor known for his roles in theater and film, including Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Ian Fleming was a British author best known for creating the James Bond series.
Ian Somerhalder is an American actor and model, recognized for his role in 'The Vampire Diaries'.
Ian Curtis was the lead singer of the post-punk band Joy Division, known for his influential music.
Fictional characters named Ian
Ian Malcolm is a character in Michael Crichton's 'Jurassic Park', known for his critical views on the park's ethics.
Ian Hawke is a character in the 'Mission: Impossible' film series, portrayed as a skilled operative.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ian was first seen in the United States in 1912. Ian has ranked as high as #101 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Ian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ian (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 723 | |
| CA | 644 | |
| FL | 338 | |
| NY | 323 | |
| NC | 162 | |
| IL | 160 | |
| GA | 146 | |
| PA | 124 | |
| VA | 115 | |
| TN | 105 | |
| OH | 103 | |
| MD | 98 | |
| AZ | 96 | |
| WA | 85 | |
| MA | 84 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 6 |
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1914 | 10 |
| 1915 | 15 |
| 1916 | 15 |
| 1917 | 19 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1919 | 9 |
| 1920 | 10 |
| 1921 | 15 |
| 1922 | 9 |
| 1923 | 22 |
| 1924 | 28 |
| 1925 | 19 |
| 1926 | 24 |
| 1927 | 27 |
| 1928 | 40 |
| 1929 | 31 |
| 1930 | 45 |
| 1931 | 43 |
| 1932 | 40 |
| 1933 | 27 |
| 1934 | 41 |
| 1935 | 45 |
| 1936 | 44 |
| 1937 | 50 |
| 1938 | 49 |
| 1939 | 61 |
| 1940 | 56 |
| 1941 | 62 |
| 1942 | 80 |
| 1943 | 64 |
| 1944 | 68 |
| 1945 | 64 |
| 1946 | 85 |
| 1947 | 111 |
| 1948 | 87 |
| 1949 | 102 |
| 1950 | 123 |
| 1951 | 104 |
| 1952 | 120 |
| 1953 | 157 |
| 1954 | 171 |
| 1955 | 175 |
| 1956 | 194 |
| 1957 | 213 |
| 1958 | 205 |
| 1959 | 208 |
| 1960 | 242 |
| 1961 | 242 |
| 1962 | 281 |
| 1963 | 360 |
| 1964 | 429 |
| 1965 | 489 |
| 1966 | 621 |
| 1967 | 771 |
| 1968 | 716 |
| 1969 | 827 |
| 1970 | 1,117 |
| 1971 | 1,200 |
| 1972 | 1,248 |
| 1973 | 1,302 |
| 1974 | 1,654 |
| 1975 | 1,718 |
| 1976 | 1,937 |
| 1977 | 2,287 |
| 1978 | 2,172 |
| 1979 | 2,553 |
| 1980 | 2,909 |
| 1981 | 2,929 |
| 1982 | 3,576 |
| 1983 | 3,665 |
| 1984 | 3,794 |
| 1985 | 3,999 |
| 1986 | 3,714 |
| 1987 | 3,924 |
| 1988 | 4,315 |
| 1989 | 4,948 |
| 1990 | 5,460 |
| 1991 | 5,324 |
| 1992 | 5,536 |
| 1993 | 5,399 |
| 1994 | 5,267 |
| 1995 | 5,595 |
| 1996 | 5,410 |
| 1997 | 5,210 |
| 1998 | 5,353 |
| 1999 | 5,450 |
| 2000 | 5,886 |
| 2001 | 6,084 |
| 2002 | 6,361 |
| 2003 | 6,466 |
| 2004 | 6,507 |
| 2005 | 6,688 |
| 2006 | 6,154 |
| 2007 | 6,250 |
| 2008 | 5,723 |
| 2009 | 5,807 |
| 2010 | 5,561 |
| 2011 | 5,619 |
| 2012 | 5,694 |
| 2013 | 5,432 |
| 2014 | 5,461 |
| 2015 | 5,329 |
| 2016 | 5,079 |
| 2017 | 5,033 |
| 2018 | 4,704 |
| 2019 | 4,550 |
| 2020 | 4,266 |
| 2021 | 4,300 |
| 2022 | 4,501 |
| 2023 | 4,551 |
| 2024 | 4,547 |