Ian is a male given name of Scottish origin. It is a modern version of the Gaelic name "Iain", which is the Scottish equivalent of "John". The name Ian has been in use in Scotland since the 19th century and gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century. It is a popular name in Scotland, England, and other English-speaking countries. Famous bearers of the name Ian include Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid and British musician Ian Brown.
Ian rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 77. Brooks
- Rank 78. Jonathan
- Rank 79. Robert
- Rank 80. Jameson
- Rank 81. Ian
- Rank 82. Everett
- Rank 83. Greyson
- Rank 84. Wesley
- Rank 85. Jeremiah
Nicknames for Ian
| I | ee-uhn | Shortened version of the name |
| E | ee-uhn | Another shortened version of the name |
| Ian-o | ee-ahn-oh | Rhyming nickname |
| Yan | yahn | A variation of the name |
| Ianny | ee-ahn-ee | Endearing nickname |
Famous people named Ian
| Ian McKellen | acting | English actor known for his roles in Shakespearean plays and as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies |
| Ian Fleming | writing | British author and journalist, best known for creating the character James Bond |
| Ian Somerhalder | acting | American actor known for his roles in The Vampire Diaries and Lost |
| Ian Holm | acting | English actor known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as in Chariots of Fire and Alien |
| Ian Anderson | music | Scottish musician and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and flautist of the rock band Jethro Tull |
| Ian Thorpe | swimming | Australian swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, known as the 'Thorpedo |
| Ian Paisley | politics | Northern Irish politician and religious leader, founder of the Democratic Unionist Party and First Minister of Northern Ireland |
| Ian McEwan | writing | British author and screenwriter, known for his novels Atonement and Amsterdam |
| Ian Poulter | golf | English professional golfer, known for his flamboyant dress sense and Ryder Cup heroics |
| Ian Kershaw | history | British historian and author, known for his biographies of Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill |
Fictional character called Ian from pop culture
| Ian Malcolm | Jurassic Park | A mathematician and chaos theorist who is a key character in the Jurassic Park franchise. |
| Ian Gallagher | Shameless | One of the main characters in the TV series Shameless, known for his rebellious behavior and complicated relationships. |
| Ian Lightfoot | Onward | The main character in the Pixar movie Onward, who embarks on a quest with his brother to bring their father back to life. |
| Ian O'Shea | The Host | A human who is possessed by an alien in the novel The Host by Stephenie Meyer. |
| Ian Kabra | The 39 Clues | A character in the book series The 39 Clues, known for his intelligence and cunning. |
| Ian Hawke | Alvin and the Chipmunks | The main antagonist in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie franchise, known for his scheming and manipulative ways. |
| Ian Chesterton | Doctor Who | A companion of the Doctor in the early seasons of the TV series Doctor Who. |
| Ian Rider | Alex Rider | The father of Alex Rider in the book series Alex Rider, who was a spy for MI6. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Ian
| What is the origin of the name Ian? | The name Ian is of Scottish origin. |
| What does the name Ian mean? | The name Ian means 'God is gracious'. |
| Is Ian a popular name? | Yes, Ian is a popular name in Scotland, as well as in other English-speaking countries. |
| What are some famous people named Ian? | Some famous people named Ian include Ian McKellen, Ian Fleming, and Ian Somerhalder. |
| Is Ian a unisex name? | No, Ian is typically a masculine name. |
| What are some variations of the name Ian? | Some variations of the name Ian include Iain, Ean, and Eoin. |
| What is the nickname for Ian? | The most common nickname for Ian is 'I'. |