Names › Boys' names › I › Ian

Ian

Meaning: God is gracious (form of John) · Origin: Scottish Gaelic · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

The Scottish form of John (Gaelic Iain).

Famous people named Ian

Ian McKellen (actor)
Ian Fleming (author)

Nicknames

Iain

Variants & related names

Iain, Ean, Juan

Ian name art

A free preview of a printable “Ian” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Ian mean?

Ian means “God is gracious (form of John)”. It comes from Scottish Gaelic.

Is Ian a popular name?

Yes — Ian has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Ian?

Iain.

What are other forms of Ian?

Iain, Ean, Juan.

Similar names

Cameron · Carson · Callum · Knox · Dallas · Brody

More: names starting with I · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.