Best 100 Middle Names For Ian (2023)
Ian is a short and easy-going name that parents adore. Not being overly cutesy or too mature, it is a perfect name for a boy of any age. Having maintained a top 100 boy’s name position since the 1980s, Ian is a common name but not overused.
If you’re considering naming your son Ian, we’ve gathered a list of the best middle names for Ian below.
Meaning of the Name Ian
The name Ian is the Scottish version of the name John. It comes from the English form of the Old Hebrew Yochanan meaning “the Lord graciously gave” or “graced by God.”
| Origin | Scottish |
| Pronunciation | ee-uhn |
Best Middle Names for Ian
Whether you’re searching for a traditional middle name or something more unique, we’ve gathered some great options below.
- Ian Abraham
- Ian Adriel
- Ian Alexander
- Ian Alonso
- Ian Arthur
- Ian Atticus
- Ian Augustus
- Ian Austin
- Ian Barnaby
- Ian Beckett
- Ian Benedict
- Ian Bennett
- Ian Blake
- Ian Bradford
- Ian Brady
- Ian Brandon
- Ian Brody
- Ian Cameron
- Ian Carter
- Ian Chadwick
- Ian Chandler
- Ian Charles
- Ian Christopher
- Ian Clark
- Ian Dale
- Ian Davis
- Ian Demetrius
- Ian Desmond
- Ian Dominic
- Ian Douglas
- Ian Edward
- Ian Emerson
- Ian Emmett
- Ian Everett
- Ian Forrest
- Ian Frederick
- Ian Gabriel
- Ian Geoffrey
- Ian Grant
- Ian Gregory
- Ian Grey
- Ian Griffin
- Ian Heath
- Ian Holden
- Ian Isaac
- Ian Isaiah
- Ian Jacob
- Ian James
- Ian Jasper
- Ian Jeremy
- Ian Joel
- Ian Joseph
- Ian Jude
- Ian Kendrick
- Ian Kirby
- Ian Kirk
- Ian Lawrence
- Ian Lee
- Ian Leonard
- Ian Louis
- Ian Luther
- Ian Malachi
- Ian Malcolm
- Ian Marcus
- Ian Marshall
- Ian Mateo
- Ian Matthew
- Ian Maverick
- Ian Maximus
- Ian Miles
- Ian Morgan
- Ian Nicholas
- Ian Oliver
- Ian Orlando
- Ian Oscar
- Ian Patrick
- Ian Paul
- Ian Phillip
- Ian Pierce
- Ian Quincy
- Ian Riley
- Ian Samuel
- Ian Sebastian
- Ian Silas
- Ian Slater
- Ian Spencer
- Ian Stanley
- Ian Sterling
- Ian Taylor
- Ian Theodore
- Ian Thomas
- Ian Timothy
- Ian Travis
- Ian Tristan
- Ian Tyler
- Ian Vaughn
- Ian Wesley
- Ian William
- Ian Wyatt
- Ian Zachary
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How To Pick a Middle Name
Do You Need A Middle Name?
In short, no. You do not need to give your child a middle name. You can choose to only give your child a first name and last name. There are no laws or requirements in regard to middle names.
However, according to research in the European Journal of Social Psychology, using middle initials in your name increases people’s perception of your intelligence.
Providing your child with a middle name will help differentiate them from others who share their same name. It also gives them a second option. Some children choose to go by their middle names instead of their first names as they grow older.
We all know how important it is to find the perfect name for our children. But did you know that in some cultures, middle names can be used as a way to give your child an additional identity? A new connection with their family history or heritage.
Here we will explore the things you should consider when giving your children a middle name!
Family Names
A child’s middle name is a great way to honor a beloved family member. It could be someone who has passed or a living family member who means a lot to the parents. Middle names don’t need to be gender-specific, so this could be a good place to include male or female family members.
Some parents like to include family surnames, such as the mother’s maiden name, as a middle name. This allows both sides of the family to pass down their name to the child. Any name that is meaningful to the family can make a nice middle name.
Flow and Initials
Probably the most important thing parents think of when choosing their child’s name is how it all sounds together. The first, middle, and last name should flow nicely together.
Many popular middle names are short, one or two syllable names because they pair well with most first names.
If family members speak another language or have an accent, take into consideration how everyone will be pronouncing the names when determining how they fit together
Monograms are popular in Southern culture, but it is still helpful to consider your child’s initials regardless of where you live.
Monograms for women are typically in the order of first name initial, large last name initial, and then middle name initial.
For men, the initials are usually in order of first, middle, and then last name. Avoid spelling out unfortunate words with the initials.
Middle names and their initials can also be used for nicknames. For example, Mary Elizabeth can be shortened to Mary Beth. Or, Elizabeth Zoe can be shortened to the initials E. Z. As a nickname.
If you just can’t narrow it down to a first name and a middle name, you can always include multiple middle names. In the United States, most people only have one middle name, but it is common around the world to have two or more.
It is recommended not to add too many middle names though. Most paperwork only leaves a spot for a single middle name or initial and multiple names can lead to confusion.
Special Meanings
A child’s middle name is a great way to pay homage to anything that holds special meaning to the parents. Some inspiration for names includes:
- Influential people in your life
- Characters from books, movies, or television
- Locations that hold memories
- Languages that are important to the family
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First Name for Middle Name Ian
If you’re considering Ian as a middle name, we’ve put together some of our favorite first name options here.
- Alexander Ian
- Anthony Ian
- Asher Ian
- Austin Ian
- Baylor Ian
- Beckett Ian
- Benjamin Ian
- Bodhi Ian
- Braylen Ian
- Caleb Ian
- Calvin Ian
- Carter Ian
- Charles Ian
- Chase Ian
- Christopher Ian
- Conner Ian
- Cooper Ian
- Dallas Ian
- Dalton Ian
- David Ian
- Derek Ian
- Dominic Ian
- Edgar Ian
- Edward Ian
- Elias Ian
- Finley Ian
- Forrest Ian
- Franklin Ian
- Gabriel Ian
- Garrett Ian
- Geoffrey Ian
- Gregory Ian
- Hayden Ian
- Henry Ian
- Hudson Ian
- Isaac Ian
- Isaiah Ian
- Jackson Ian
- Jacob Ian
- Jeremiah Ian
- Jonathan Ian
- Joseph Ian
- Joshua Ian
- Keith Ian
- Knox Ian
- Leonardo Ian
- Lincoln Ian
- Malcolm Ian
- Mason Ian
- Matthew Ian
- Maxwell Ian
- Michael Ian
- Nathaniel Ian
- Nicholas Ian
- Oliver Ian
- Parker Ian
- Patrick Ian
- Peter Ian
- Phillip Ian
- Ricardo Ian
- Richard Ian
- Robert Ian
- Rowan Ian
- Samuel Ian
- Shawn Ian
- Spencer Ian
- Stuart Ian
- Theodore Ian
- Thomas Ian
- Timothy Ian
- Travis Ian
- Walker Ian
- Weston Ian
- William Ian
- Zachary Ian
Nicknames for Ian
- E
- Eees
- Izzie
Variations of Ian
- Eann
- Eion
- Iain
- Iann
- Ion
Names Similar to Ian
- Adam
- Andrew
- Aaron
- Brandon
- Christopher
- Colin
- Conner
- Craig
- Daniel
- David
- Dylan
- Eric
- Ethan
- Evan
- Gavin
- Graham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- John
- Jonathan
- Joseph
- Joshua
- Keith
- Kevin
- Kyle
- Liam
- Logan
- Lucas
- Malcolm
- Mark
- Martin
- Matthew
- Michael
- Nathan
- Neil
- Nicholas
- Owen
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Ryan
- Scott
- Seth
- Shane
- Simon
- Steven
- Thomas
- Trevor
- William
Sibling Boy Names that go with Ian
- Ian and Alec
- Ian and Andrew
- Ian and Ashton
- Ian and Augustus
- Ian and Beckham
- Ian and Benjamin
- Ian and Braxton
- Ian and Cameron
- Ian and Cedric
- Ian and Charles
- Ian and Colton
- Ian and Derek
- Ian and Easton
- Ian and Elliott
- Ian and Emmett
- Ian and Ezra
- Ian and Finn
- Ian and Griffin
- Ian and Henry
- Ian and Huxley
- Ian and Isaac
- Ian and Isaiah
- Ian and Jack
- Ian and Jasper
- Ian and Joseph
- Ian and Keegan
- Ian and Leo
- Ian and Lionel
- Ian and Lucas
- Ian and Malcolm
- Ian and Matteo
- Ian and Milo
- Ian and Nathan
- Ian and Noel
- Ian and Otto
- Ian and Patrick
- Ian and Peter
- Ian and Robert
- Ian and Ryan
- Ian and Samuel
- Ian and Sawyer
- Ian and Thomas
- Ian and Timothy
- Ian and William
- Ian and Zane
Sibling Girl Names that go with Ian
- Ian and Abigail
- Ian and Arabella
- Ian and Arya
- Ian and Audrey
- Ian and Bonnie
- Ian and Bridget
- Ian and Catalina
- Ian and Claire
- Ian and Delaney
- Ian and Delilah
- Ian and Elizabeth
- Ian and Ella
- Ian and Emma
- Ian and Felicity
- Ian and Grace
- Ian and Harper
- Ian and Holly
- Ian and Isla
- Ian and Jade
- Ian and Jane
- Ian and Juliet
- Ian and Kaylee
- Ian and Leah
- Ian and Lucy
- Ian and Lyla
- Ian and Maeve
- Ian and Margaret
- Ian and Margot
- Ian and Mia
- Ian and Molly
- Ian and Natalie
- Ian and Nora
- Ian and Penelope
- Ian and Piper
- Ian and Ruby
- Ian and Ryleigh
- Ian and Sadie
- Ian and Sally
- Ian and Serenity
- Ian and Stella
- Ian and Tabitha
- Ian and Tessa
- Ian and Trinity
- Ian and Vera
- Ian and Willa
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History of the Name Ian
Following the First Crusade during the 11th century, knights and crusaders returning from the Holy Lands reintroduced the significance of saints John the Baptist and John the Apostle to their fellow European Christians.
From here linguistic variations of the name John became common across Western Europe during the 12th century. These include Sean (Irish), Ean (Manx), Shane (Northern Irish), Ian (Scottish), and Evan (Welsh).
According to the Social Security Administration, Ian first appeared on the popular baby naming charts in 1935. It steadily climbed up the charts reaching a top 100 boys name in 1982.
The best year for Ian thus far was in 2003 in the 65th spot. As of 2021, Ian ranks as the 81st most popular boy’s name in the United States.
Famous People with the Name Ian
| Ian Bohen | American actor on MTV’s series Teen Wolf |
| Ian Book | American football player for the New Orleans Saints |
| Ian Fleming | British novelist and creator of James Bond |
| Ian Harding | German/American actor in the television series Pretty Little Liars |
| Ian Hart | English Actor in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone |
| Ian Hill | bassist for metal band Judas Priest |
| Ian Kahn | American actor in the television series Dawson’s Creek and the soap opera As the World Turns |
| Ian McDiarmid | Scottish actor in the Star Wars film series |
| Ian Somerhalder | American actor in the television series Lost, The Vampire Diaries, and V Wars |
| Ian Thomas | American football player for the Carolina Panthers |
Fictional Characters Named Ian
| Ian Beale | a character in the soap opera EastEnders |
| Ian Chesterton | a character in the television series Doctor Who |
| Ian Doyle | a character in the television series Criminal Minds |
| Ian Gallagher | a character in the television drama Shameless |
| Ian Hawke | a character in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies |
| Ian Malcolm | a character in the Jurassic Park franchise |
| Ian McKinley | a character in the film Final Destination 3 |
| Ian Miller | a character in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding |
| Ian Randall | a character in the television series Smallville |
| Ian Slater | a character in the soap opera All My Children |
| Ian Thomas | a character in the television series Pretty Little Liars |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ian a biblical name?
Ian is not a name that is found in the bible. However, it does have biblical ties based on where the name came from. Ian was derived from John. The Hebrew form Johanan or Jehohanan occurs in the Old Testament.
What are nicknames for the name Ian?
Ian is a short name that does not lend itself to a lot of nickname options. The few nicknames that have transpired from the name Ian include E, Eees, and Izzie.
Is Ian a popular name?
Ian has been a top 100 boy’s name since 1982. Although it has not reached a top 50 boy’s name yet, it still remains a favorite choice among parents.
Final Thoughts on Middle Names for Ian
Ian is a Scottish name with a strong history. It is a short and carefree name that is easy to say and spell. This name doesn’t come with a lot of nickname options and hasn’t hit the overly used spot quite yet.
If you’re considering naming your baby boy Ian, we hope our list of middle name ideas has been helpful.
MORE MIDDLE NAME IDEAS
Now that you’ve seen all the middle name ideas for Ian, you might want to check out some middle name ideas for these similar names!
- Middle Names for Andrew
- Middle Names for Dean
- Middle Names for Dylan
- Middle Names for Liam
- Middle Names for Lucas
- Middle Names for Nathan
If you’re looking for more middle name ideas, you can find all our lists in our Middle Names section.
For more baby name ideas and inspiration head over to our Baby Names section.
Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!