Ian

[Nurseornot]

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.

Really?

I really don't like Ian, Brian, Gary, Kevin etc. They make me feel depressed in an egg, brown sauce and chips sort of way.

My Dad is Ian and I also know a couple from when I was at school (in our 30's now)

It would be seen by lots of people as a very dated name, similar in vibe to Keith or Dennis or something.
I don't think it is unuseable though.

I think of Huntley and Beale

And then there’s Brady

I prefer Iain.

I say go for it! DS has a 'dated' name, as already mentioned on this thread.

I also have a 'dated' name, that was badly middle-aged when I was given it.

Now, as a 40-something, it's massively fashionable again. And personally, I think it's great to be an adult with a currently 'in' name, rather than being just another Karen, Nicole, Sarah, Joanne, Jennifer, etc (no offence to those names, but they are a bit yawnsome now).

You'll be well ahead of the curve!

Ian makes me think Huntley or Brady - sorry.

Awful sorry

Agree with YemenRoadYemen re being ahead of the curve. My DB (now late 20s) has one of the "grandad" style names that's now really popular for baby boys. We love it (so does he) and it really suits him!

It's never gone away in Scotland, it's one of those standard Scottish names for boys which is fairly ageless. I have three kids, they all know people called Ian, and similar names like Euan or Owen.

I think of McCulloch and McKellen. Those Ian's couldn't be any cooler

Ian, Stephen, Mark, Philip, John ,Richard, James -all good solid boys names.
I also like Mathew, Christopher, Glyn, David, Nicholas.

Not so keen on Trevor or Kevin, Wayne or Darren though.

I dated an Iain (he'll be 43 now,) and he did a lot of business with Americans and they used to pronounce it Lane...

It’s an OK name, I knew plenty growing up as I’m Scottish... I’m 50 now though! Also, it seems to be becoming quite popular in America now... DH has a cousin there who recently named his twins Ian and Gavin!

But there is the Huntley and Brady thing, as has been mentioned. Also add Ian Watkins for a really unholy trinity of Ians!

Ian defo an older mans name, like Stanley,
A lady I used to know called her baby Stanley and it just sounds too grown up and old

A friend has a grandson called Stanley. Suits him.
I think you get used to it. I know an 8 year old Eric, which seemed odd at the time, but doesn't any more.

Dear God no. It’s my brother’s name - he’s 44.

Weirdly I know quite a few baby Stanleys. I think that one's coming back.

Dear God no. It’s my brother’s name

Is he so awful ?

My little brothers name, he's mid 40's.

I quite like Ian and would spell it that way. It doesn't travel that well into other languages though, which may of course not bother you.

I knew a lovely man called Ian who used to really fancy me .

I can only think of 2 Ian’s. Ian Beale, and Uncle Ian from the chipmunk movies. Both Weasley characters. Yuck.

I don't really like it, it sounds quite dated!

My lovely dad was called Ian. He was born in 1926!

A lady I used to know called her baby Stanley and it just sounds too grown up and old

A little boy round here is about 5 year old and called Ronnie...