# ian

/ˈiən/ (US) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ian
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a common male first name in English-speaking countries. It is the Scottish version of the name John.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Scottish origin, equivalent to the English name John. Derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Iain'.

## Examples

- My friend Ian lives in London.
- The project manager, Ian, scheduled a meeting to discuss the new budget requirements.
- While the name Ian remains a staple of British nomenclature, its popularity has fluctuated significantly across different decades and regions of the English-speaking world.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.