boy's name
Iain
EE-an (English)
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 4
- Popularity Rare
- Births on record 11,664
Scotland
#900
2024 births
Iain is a boy's name with 2 syllables. In 2025 it was given to 11 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
- Peaked in Scotland in 1979, when 392 babies were given the name.
- It has been falling over the past decade in Scotland.
- Today about 1 in 12,709 babies in Scotland is given this name.
- First appears in birth records in 1974.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Iain Over Time
Births per decade in Scotland, 1970s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2024.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 2,224 |
| 1980s | 3,127 |
| 1990s | 1,369 |
| 2000s | 342 |
| 2010s | 103 |
| 2020s (to 2024) | 26 |
How Popular Is Iain?
In 2024, Iain was given to 3 babies in Scotland, ranking #900 that year. It is a rare choice.
Where Iain Is Used
Figures for Scotland leave out any name given to fewer than three babies in a year, so a gap means the name fell below that floor rather than went unused. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Iain
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Iain Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Iain over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Iain
- English EE-an
Sibling Names for Iain
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Iain — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Iain
How popular is the name Iain?
In 2024, Iain was given to 3 babies in Scotland, ranking #900 that year. It is a rare choice.
Is Iain a girl's or a boy's name?
Iain is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Iain?
Iain has 2 syllables.
When was Iain most popular?
Iain peaked in 1979, when 392 babies were given the name. It has been falling over the past decade.
Is Iain a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Iain currently ranks #900 in Scotland. It has been falling over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.