Ian
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Ian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A male given name from Scottish Gaelic Eòin, equivalent to English John.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic Eòin.
Full origin of Ian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Ian” mean?
The word “Ian” means a male given name from Scottish Gaelic Eòin, equivalent to English John.
How do you pronounce “Ian”?
“Ian” is pronounced EE-uhn (/ˈiː.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Ian” in a sentence?
Here is “Ian” used in a sentence: “Ian is one of the most common Scottish given names.”
What part of speech is “Ian”?
“Ian” is a name.
Is “Ian” a common word?
“Ian” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the origin of the name "Ian"?
Ian is a male given name from Scottish Gaelic, where it descends from "Iain," the Gaelic form of "John." It therefore shares its ultimate origin with the name John.
What is the difference between "Ian" and "Iain"?
"Iain" is the traditional Scottish Gaelic spelling, while "Ian" is the anglicised spelling used more widely in English. Both refer to the same name and share the same origin.
Is "Ian" related to the name "John"?
Yes. Ian is the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of John, so the two names share the same origin and meaning even though they look different. This is why Ian and John are sometimes treated as versions of one another.