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At a Glance: Name: Ian – Meaning: God is gracious – Origin: Scottish Gaelic (anglicized form of Eòin) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: EYE-uhn
Ian is a classic boy's name, pronounced EYE-uhn, that comes from Scottish Gaelic as the anglicized form of Eòin. It carries the meaning "God is gracious." If you want a name with Gaelic roots but a name shape that reads easily in English, Ian fits that pattern.
Meaning & Origin of Ian
Meaning: God is gracious.
Origin: Scottish Gaelic (anglicized form of Eòin).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Ian
Phonetic: EYE-uhn IPA: /ˈaɪən/
Popularity of Ian
Ian has been recorded in Social Security data since 1912, peaking at #65 in 2003 with 6,466 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled to #75, with 4,547 babies named Ian.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1912–2024.
Make Ian Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Ian, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Ian mean?
God is gracious. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ian)
How do you pronounce Ian?
Ian is pronounced EYE-uhn (IPA: /ˈaɪən/).
Is Ian a popular name right now?
Ian peaked at #65 in 2003 and is ranked #75 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1912–2024.)
📊 How popular is Ian? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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