Iain
Boy name · 7,199 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Iain: 7,199 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 392 births in 1979.
The Gaelic form of John, Iain has been a staple of Scottish naming for centuries, sharing its roots with the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." It is the traditional Scottish spelling, distinct from the English Ian, and remains a popular choice in Scotland today. Famous bearers include Iain Banks, the acclaimed Scottish novelist known for *The Wasp Factory* and his Culture series, and Iain Glen, the Scottish actor who played Jorah Mormont in *Game of Thrones*. The name also connects to Iain MacLeod, a long-running character in the British soap *Emmerdale*. While no major places are named directly after a bearer, the name's English variant, Ian, is far more common internationally, making Iain a proudly distinctive Scottish choice.
Boy 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 1979392 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #4008 babies
- Total births
- 7,199since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 12%vs prior 5y