Comments for the name Ian

Ian can also be short for names ending in -ian (like Damian or Elian).

Ian is an English version of John, which is the masculine version of Jane, which is Hebrew for Siobhan - my name. So my dad and I have linked names! I like the name Ian, because it cannot really be shortened!

I know that it's been over four years, but I have to correct the bubblybabe's information. Ian is not the English form of John. As the page states, it is the Scottish form. The English form of John is John. While John and Jane can be interchanged according to gender, it is more proper to sat that Jane is the feminine of John rather than John being the masculine form of Jane. Finally, Jane is not the Hebrew form of Siobhan. Yes, Ian and Siobhan are related, but not like that.

The vocalist from The Lost Prophets bears the name Ian and he is from south Wales!

Some famous Ians include Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, and Ian McKellan, who played Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings."

A famous bearer of this name is Ian Brown, the lead singer of the Stone Roses.

Famous bearer: Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division.

The actor Ian Somerhalder bears this name.

Actor Ian Ziering (Steve on Beverly Hills 90210) bears this name.

Scott Ian is the rhythm guitarist of a band called Anthrax and I honestly know a kid named after him. Ian is one of the most adorable kids I've ever met.

Ian is the ending of an imperfect er and ir Spanish word in the third person plural form.

Ian Anderson: The singer/flutist of Jethro Tull.

Ian is a great name for a boy, it sounds handsome and strong and isn't a fad name which is nice.

I heard a story of a boy with this name in a school in New York, where some of the other students thought he had a girl's name (Ann) because that name can be pronounced "Ian" in a really thick New York accent.

I'm a little biased here but I can add some insight - I legally had my name changed to Ian from "Ivan" to avoid confusion with my dad who had the same name.

Best thing about the name is that I don't get any "Ivan the terrible comments" anymore. Still, my wife and I won't be naming our son after me. I don't want the confusion between jr and sr.

Cute name! Love it!

Two famous bearers are Ian McKellen and Ian Holm, both in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. Ian McKellen plays Gandalf and Ian Holm plays Bilbo.

When I was little I thought the name 'Ian' was spelled 'En' for some strange reason.

I like Ian, it's not as widely used as John and it's at least as nice. It's more unique and has more character.

I thought for a long time that Ian was pronounced JAN, and I didn't like it. Now I know the real pronunciation, but I still don't like it.

Yes, I'm a girl and Ian is my middle name, I honestly feel it's a unsex name but that's my humble opinion. I love my middle and first name and nothing could make me feel otherwise, even if guys do have it! haha.

My best friend Stephanie loves this name. For a girl. She likes to be called this instead of her real name (Roxana Stephanie). Personally, I don't like it on a girl.

Ian Hecox is from Smosh. Hehe, I love this name.

A famous bearer:
One of the most influential artists Ian Brown, 20 February 1963, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK.

Ian McEwan - author of 'Enduring Love, ' 'Atonement' etc. Very talented.

Also a boys name in Slovenia, probably a variant on the much more popular Jan. (J is pronounced like Y)

Ian Fleming is the author of the James Bond series of books that the movies are based on.

Take former England cricketer Ian "Beefy" Botham.

The very handsome John Corbett plays the character Ian Miller in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Ian Chesterton, a companion of the First Doctor on "Doctor Who".

I dislike this name. It sounds too Anglo-phile, too fey and prissy. Sounds like a name for a poindexter with glasses.

This is my favorite name for a boy! It's strong and has a nice ring to it. I've only met one Ian my whole life, which is nice, considering I've met sooooo many Johns.

I like names that end in -ian (Adrian, Caspian, Damian, Octavian, etc.), but I hate Ian all by itself.

This is my name and I love it! I've yet to meet another Ian before. It has a nice ring to it and is way better than the worn-out name John.

It can also be spelled Ein, Ean, or Iann. Can also be pronounced I-an instead of EE-an.

Ian Crawford, guitarist for The Cab, is a not-so-famous bearer of this name.

The name Ian always confused me when I was younger. I always pronounced it eye-an. But now I know it's pronounced E(long e)-an.

Ian is the name of one of the character's in Stephenie Meyer's new book, The Host.

There is also Ian Hunter, famous for writing "Cleveland Rocks" (no, Drew Carey DID NOT write it!)

Same name as Ian Brady and Ian Huntley, who were both child murderers.

Ian McCulloch, the singer of Echo & the Bunnymen is another famous bearer.

I personally love this name. It's simple, short and good-sounding.

Love this name. It's my little brother's so I might be a bit biased but it's not overused like so many other names.

Ian Laperriere is a French-Canadian hockey player in the NHL.

This name is simple, but not too simple, and has a nice ring to it.

Ian Stanley was the keyboardist for the popular '80s band, Tears for Fears. He also co-wrote several of the songs.

A very cool name. Unfortunately, it's becoming a tad too popular in the U.S.

Ian Axel, a singer/pianist who plays ukelele, bears this name.

Ian Somerhalder is the brilliantly talented actor who plays Damon Salvatore each week on "Vampire Diaries," and believe me, he does a most excellent job of playing that character!

I love the name Ian. I'm not really sure how they got Ian out of John. But either way, while it remains one of my favorite names, I doubt I would use it because I feel like it's becoming far too popular in the USA.

This name is a bit simple and boring.

Ian is a common suffix in Armenian surnames.

I like this version better than John, because it's slightly less common. My dad's name is Jonathan, he often shortens it to Jon, and even though he's a great guy I prefer the form Ian. It's short, yet has two syllables, which means if my future husband has a one syllable surname it won't matter (I have a one syllable name that does NOT flow at all with my short surname, and I can't stand it).

Ian Anthony Dale is an American actor.

Corey Haim's middle name is Ian, it's cute.

Ian Harding is an American actor.

Big Brother 14 winner Ian Terry.

The I can be pronounced as Ee or Eye. I have met an EE-n and an Eye-n.