The baby name Iain is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈeɪ.ən/ (AY-en); also /ˈiː.ən/ (EE-en).
Iain is Scottish in Origin.
The baby name Iain is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈeɪ.ən/ (AY-en); also /ˈiː.ən/ (EE-en).
Iain is Scottish in Origin.
Iain is the Scottish Gaelic form of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yohanan meaning "God is gracious," transmitted through Greek Ioannes and Latin Iohannes. In Gaelic orthography the double i marks a palatal quality, and the name is typically pronounced EE-uhn, closely matching the Anglicized Ian. The spelling Iain remains common in Scotland and among Gaelic-speaking communities, preserving its cultural identity.
Documented since the medieval Highlands, it appears in clan genealogies and bardic poetry, and persisted into the modern era, with figures like novelist Iain Banks reinforcing its visibility. Close relatives and variants include Ian (English/Scots), John, Irish Seán and Eoin, Welsh Ioan, Ieuan, and Ifan, Breton Yann, Cornish Jowan, and Manx Juan; feminine counterparts include Jane, Joan, Jean, and Johanna. The enduring appeal of Iain lies in its succinct sound paired with the time-honored meaning "God is gracious."
| Iain Glen Iain Glen is a Scottish actor best known for playing Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. He has also appeared in Resident Evil and Downton Abbey. | Iain Armitage Iain Armitage is an American actor best known for playing Sheldon Cooper in Young Sheldon. He starred in the series from 2017 to 2024, which serves as a prequel spin-off to The Big Bang Theory. | Iain De Caestecker Iain De Caestecker is a Scottish actor best known for playing Leopold Fitz, also known as The Doctor, in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Born on 29 December 1987, he is best known for that role in the popular Marvel television series. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Boys | 2011 | #1 | — | 779 |
| NA | 0 | #33 | 1 | 2,537 | |
| MO | 0 | #51 | 2 | 2,706 | |
| CY | 0 | #60 | 1 | 1,632 | |
| JP | 0 | #77 | 1 | 4,057 | |
| CN | 0 | #86 | 1 | 3,857 | |
| LT | 0 | #88 | 1 | 949 | |
| OM | 0 | #120 | 2 | 6,215 | |
| CY | Boys | 0 | #127 | 5 | 3,473 |
| GR | 0 | #135 | 1 | 3,911 | |
| ID | Boys | 0 | #135 | 1 | 4,130 |
| PA | 0 | #138 | 1 | 3,797 | |
| JO | 0 | #140 | 1 | 2,158 | |
| AE | 0 | #168 | 10 | 10,220 | |
| MT | Boys | 0 | #172 | 8 | 4,064 |
| CZ | 0 | #186 | 1 | 3,154 | |
| DK | 0 | #205 | 2 | 5,198 | |
| BG | Boys | 0 | #218 | 3 | 3,850 |
| LU | Boys | 0 | #219 | 2 | 4,970 |
| IR | 0 | #231 | 1 | 4,221 | |
| MO | Boys | 0 | #234 | 1 | 5,842 |
| PT | 0 | #250 | 1 | 4,161 | |
| GR | Boys | 0 | #271 | 3 | 6,912 |
| SG | 0 | #278 | 5 | 11,010 | |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #292 | 2 | 6,876 |
| KZ | Boys | 0 | #296 | 1 | 6,578 |
| CZ | Boys | 0 | #299 | 7 | 6,530 |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #300 | 4 | 7,909 |
| Canada | Boys | 2022 | #304 | 7 | 2,557 |
| SA | 0 | #310 | 3 | 10,560 | |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #326 | 6 | 9,639 |
| DK | Boys | 0 | #328 | 5 | 7,401 |
| HK | 0 | #336 | 13 | 8,483 | |
| PL | Boys | 0 | #339 | 2 | 6,459 |
| France | Boys | 1993 | #351 | 3 | 1,914 |
| MY | 0 | #354 | 1 | 12,352 | |
| MU | Boys | 0 | #369 | 1 | 8,477 |
| PT | Boys | 0 | #381 | 1 | 7,951 |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #406 | 3 | 11,440 |
| ZA | 0 | #410 | 38 | 14,421 | |
| EG | 0 | #412 | 1 | 6,387 | |
| PH | Girls | 0 | #426 | 4 | 13,098 |
| CL | 0 | #433 | 2 | 6,867 | |
| PT | Girls | 0 | #471 | 1 | 7,952 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #501 | 27 | 12,905 |
| PA | Boys | 0 | #505 | 1 | 9,305 |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #508 | 3 | 10,188 |
| CO | 0 | #509 | 2 | 7,768 | |
| RU | Boys | 0 | #526 | 1 | 12,621 |
| PS | Girls | 0 | #547 | 1 | 10,981 |
| IR | Boys | 0 | #561 | 5 | 10,162 |
| BH | 0 | #584 | 4 | 17,937 | |
| BO | Boys | 0 | #622 | 1 | 9,244 |
| IL | Boys | 0 | #625 | 1 | 10,983 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #632 | 1 | 18,916 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #665 | 33 | 17,960 |
| Finland | Boys | 2026 | #675 | 8 | 3,552 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #695 | 13 | 18,093 |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #700 | 1 | 13,390 |
| SY | 0 | #767 | 1 | 11,684 | |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #867 | 15 | 17,948 |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #868 | 25 | 7,044 |
| Spain | Boys | 0 | #897 | 34 | 5,610 |
| NL | Boys | 0 | #903 | 49 | 5,873 |
| EG | Boys | 0 | #919 | 7 | 15,035 |
| Germany | Boys | 0 | #931 | 22 | 5,697 |
| CO | Boys | 0 | #980 | 2 | 15,656 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #983 | 196 | 25,619 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #1,000 | 2 | 16,906 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,010 | 1 | 14,861 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #1,027 | 7 | 16,355 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,056 | 37 | 22,615 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,071 | 2 | 24,821 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,100 | 12 | 25,439 |
| MA | 0 | #1,199 | 1 | 20,986 | |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,235 | 2 | 25,928 |
| TR | 0 | #1,249 | 6 | 19,440 | |
| MX | Girls | 0 | #1,267 | 1 | 17,781 |
| IT | Boys | 0 | #1,447 | 25 | 10,046 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,605 | 10 | 28,008 |
Iain is popular in 53 countries — most recent births per country:
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