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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Ian

120 replies

Nurseornot · 25/03/2019 17:11

I'm British but I did not grow up in the UK so I don't know many middle aged Ian's. Would it be very strange/awful to name a boy Ian? I seem to love the sound of it but I have heard that it is really dated.

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Originofstars · 25/03/2019 17:13

I don't know any Ian's under 40. But I like the name.

mcjx · 25/03/2019 17:14

It's awful I'm really sorry

PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 25/03/2019 17:14

I can’t imagine he would be at school with anyone else with the same name.

MikeUniformMike · 25/03/2019 17:17

It's a nice enough name but was very popular in the 1960s so most Ians will be 50+. I know an Iain (scottish spelling but pronounced Ian) in his 20s. Maybe it is due a comeback.

SosigDog · 25/03/2019 17:19

It’s ripe for a revival imo. My friend named her baby that last year.

WoollyMummoth · 25/03/2019 17:20

Sorry Ian has had its time, and it’s not now.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 25/03/2019 17:22

Nooo it’s awful. To me Ian is in the same boat as Stephen, Anthony, Ronald, Philip and Jason.

Original poster
Nurseornot · 25/03/2019 17:25

That's funny you say that I actually like Anthony and Jason 😅

OP posts:
unsoftlyunsoftlyuncatchymonkey · 25/03/2019 17:27

I much prefer the Iain spelling - it's originally a Scottish name and Iain is the Scottish spelling with Ian being the English version

Littlebird88 · 25/03/2019 17:28

yip. I've seen lots of kids at work Ian or iain .
it's on the up

ijustdontunderstandher · 25/03/2019 17:28

I think Ian is a great name, I have an uncle Ian in his 50s, but I think it sounds lovely

BakedBeeeen · 25/03/2019 17:30

Sorry, the thought of a baby called Ian made me snort with laughter!

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 25/03/2019 17:31

Oh dear OP Grin

PotteringAlong · 25/03/2019 17:31

I teach a 13 year old Ian!

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 25/03/2019 17:31

I can't get out of my head a comment made in a baby name thread last week, when someone said Ian wasn't even a name it was just a noise.
It made me laugh out loud.

TokyoSushi · 25/03/2019 17:31

'Baby Ian' I quite like it! He'll be the only one! Grin

shiveringtimber · 25/03/2019 17:31

I like Anthony! But not, unfortunately, Ian.

FairfaxAikman · 25/03/2019 17:32

DS's middle name is Iain. I like it - easy enough to spell and most folk will have heard of it.

Villanellesproudmum · 25/03/2019 17:34

I know a young Iain.

Topofthehills · 25/03/2019 17:35

I actually think it's due a revival! Perfectly good name.

Sexnotgender · 25/03/2019 17:35

My 7 week olds middle name is Ian.

It’s my dads name and I love it.

GRW · 25/03/2019 17:39

Cian is much more popular now, but I like Ian.

SleepingStandingUp · 25/03/2019 17:40

There was a baby Ian in hospital when DS was a baby, so there's at least one 3-4 yo old out there. We also go to nursery with a Neil which I think is in the same bracket.

If you like it, go for it. People will get used to it.

Bumblebeesmum · 25/03/2019 17:41

I hate it but not because it’s a stupid name just because it’s very dated - their peers wouldn’t find it odd

LailaByron · 25/03/2019 17:43

I just think of Ian Beale 😕 not for me but if you like it, why not?!

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