Why has the name Ian become so unpopular?

Question

The name Ian used to be in the top 10 of names in the UK. Now it doesn't even appear in the top 100. can anyone explain why?

Answer 1

Names tend to go in cycles. It'll probably become more popular again in 50 years time. Or it's other spellings from different places may be more popular at the moment.

John, Owen, Iain and Nacho are all different variations of Ian that seem to be more popular, especially John. I guess some variations are just more popular than others at any given time.

Answer 2

Names fall in and out on fashion. A lot depends on social context, popular sounds and naming trends.

Strangely enough, the sound 'ian' has remained quite popular, even if the name Ian has retired from the top 10. There are many fashionable names that contain 'ian', like Brianna, Ariana, Julian and Lillian. Ian is a nice, handsome name. Like the name Sean, it's a Gaelic variation of the Hebrew name John. It has that 'ee' sound that parents seem to love in names (e.g. Evie, Finley, Riley, Kayley), as well as a trendy -an ending.

The only thing that makes the name unappealing to me (to use for a baby) is that there are so many people of my parents generation with this name. It's nothing fresh to me. It's really just a generational thing... My parents can't understand why I love the names Ivy and Ada so much. They're new names to me, but to older people they're 'old lady' names. Perhaps Ian will follow this trend in a few decades.

Answer 3

reminds me of ian beal out of eastenders

Answer 4

Name trends come and go

Ian is a great name , and alot of the so called old names are back in fashion

xx

Answer 5

In which book are you looking? Ian is still a popular name, especially for boys born in the 1980s. If it's fallen out of popularity, it might have something to do with the fact that it was SO popular twenty years ago. Give it time, it'll come around again. Ian is a very nice, strong name. That's my son's name. :0)

Answer 6

I guess people find it kind of plain, overused and boring.

Its often heard as an older persons name, so people associate it with older people.

Answer 7

Maybe because it sounds like an ion and nobody likes chemistry?! LOL..I dont know I never liked that name.