What Does the Name Ian Mean?
Ian is a boy's name of Scottish (Hebrew origin) origin meaning “Yahweh is gracious.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ian |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Scottish (Hebrew origin) |
| Meaning | Yahweh is gracious |
| Variants | Iain, John, Ean, Eoin |
| Popularity | A widely used US and UK Top 100 name through the late 20th century. |
The meaning and origin of Ian
The name Ian means “Yahweh is gracious” and has Scottish (Hebrew origin) origins. Ian is the Scottish Gaelic form of John, from Iain, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It spread throughout the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
Variants and related names
Ian is related to several other names you may recognize: Iain, John, Ean, Eoin. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ian?
A widely used US and UK Top 100 name through the late 20th century.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ian mean?+
The name Ian means “Yahweh is gracious” and is of Scottish (Hebrew origin) origin.
What is the origin of the name Ian?+
Ian originates from Scottish (Hebrew origin).
Is Ian a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ian has trended in the US over time.
Ian by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press