Ian
Boy name · #83 in 2025 · Uniqueness 44/100
In 2025, 3,924 baby boys were named Ian, placing it at #83 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #76, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 459 boys born in 2025 was named Ian.
Babies named Ian per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 113-year story
Ian first appears in the Social Security records in 1912, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2005, when 6,688 boys were named Ian — good for #68 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Ian against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Ian in class?
Ian scores 44 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Ian is most common
Geography matters for names, and Ian is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Ians were TX (575), CA (545), FL (281), NY (246), NJ (176). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Ian
Statistically, parents drawn to Ian tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Adrian, Ivan, Christian, Damian, and Nathan.
AdrianIvanChristianDamianNathanEvanJuanLogan
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Ian | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,924 | #83 |
| 2024 | 4,560 | #74 |
| 2023 | 4,555 | #69 |
| 2022 | 4,505 | #72 |
| 2021 | 4,302 | #81 |
| 2020 | 4,267 | #83 |
| 2019 | 4,551 | #81 |
| 2018 | 4,706 | #79 |
| 2017 | 5,033 | #76 |
| 2016 | 5,079 | #78 |
| 2015 | 5,332 | #76 |
| 2014 | 5,461 | #77 |
| 2013 | 5,434 | #80 |
| 2012 | 5,696 | #78 |
| 2011 | 5,620 | #72 |
| 2010 | 5,563 | #72 |
| 2009 | 5,807 | #73 |
| 2008 | 5,723 | #80 |
| 2007 | 6,250 | #75 |
| 2006 | 6,154 | #80 |
| 2005 | 6,688 | #68 |
| 2004 | 6,507 | #69 |
| 2003 | 6,466 | #65 |
| 2002 | 6,360 | #67 |
| 2001 | 6,084 | #70 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ian a popular boy name?
Ian ranked #83 among boys in 2025 with 3,924 babies given the name — firmly in the top 100, so yes, it’s a popular choice. Ten years earlier it ranked #76.
When was the name Ian most popular?
Ian peaked in 2005, when 6,688 American boys received the name (ranked #68 that year). Since 2005 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Ian?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 459 newborn American boys was named Ian. It scores 44/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.