Boy · 68th of 24,088
Ian
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
254,514
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2005
Peak Popularity Year
6,704
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ian stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Ian is a Scottish name meaning 'God is gracious,' derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan. Its language evolution traces back through Greek and Latin forms, leading to its modern usage. The name is often seen as strong and reliable, with no biblical background. It gained popularity in the 20th century and has notable variants. Famous individuals named Ian include actors and authors.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/iːən/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Ian is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Iain, which is a form of the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.'
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yohanan (Hebrew), Iōannēs (Greek), Iohannes (Latin), Iain (Scottish Gaelic), Ian (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Ian gained popularity in Scotland during the 20th century and has since spread to various English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Iain, John, Johann, Juan, Giovanni
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Ian is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with a sense of strength and reliability.
Famous People
Ian McKellen, Ian Fleming, Ian Somerhalder, Ian Curtis
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,704 peak births in 2005
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2054th of 7545 | 246 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 907th of 6773 | 910 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 544th of 7552 | 3,609 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 182nd of 10718 | 23,521 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 71st of 16616 | 72,855 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 68th of 24088 | 94,813 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 74th of 23106 | 57,753 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4971st of 19264 | 173 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4175th of 27321 | 358 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9339th of 35406 | 175 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11357th of 30306 | 96 |