Find out how popular the first name Iian has been for the last 11 years (from 2008 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Iian by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Iian is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Iian.

The history of the first name Iian

The name Iian is a relatively modern variant spelling of the name Ian, which has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language. The name Ian is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is merciful." The earliest recorded use of the name Ian dates back to the 16th century in Scotland.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ian Muir (c. 1510-1598), a Scottish Protestant reformer and minister who played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation. Another notable figure was Ian Lom (c. 1624-1709), a Scottish Gaelic poet and warrior who fought for the Jacobite cause during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Ian Roy MacGregor (c. 1670-1734), a Scottish outlaw and cattle rustler, became a folk hero and the subject of numerous ballads and stories. Ian Hamilton (1853-1947), a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and World War I, was also a prominent bearer of the name.

Moving into the 20th century, Ian Fleming (1908-1964), the celebrated British author and creator of the James Bond series, is perhaps the most famous individual with the name Iian. Ian McKellen (b. 1939), the acclaimed English actor known for his roles in the X-Men and Lord of the Rings film franchises, is another notable figure.

The variant spelling Iian emerged in recent decades, likely as a way to make the name more distinctive or to reflect a different cultural influence. While the name Iian is not as widely used as Ian, it has gained popularity in certain regions and cultural contexts.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Iian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Iian, please contact us.

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