Ian

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Proper noun 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• Iain

[edit] Etymology

An anglicisation of Eóin, the Gaelic equivalent of the name John. The name originated in Ireland, and was taken from there to Scotland, where the modern form Iain co-exists with it. In Ireland it was largely supplanted by the later forms Seaan, Seón, and Seóan, of which the modern form is Seán (anglicised as Sean).

[edit] Proper noun

Ian

1. A male given name.
   • 1975, Robertson Davies, World of Wonders, ISBN 0670817902, page 736

     “If you want a Scotch name why don’t you call him Jock?” Macgregor looked disgusted. “Because Jock is not a name, but a diminutive, as everybody knows well. It is the diminutive of John. And John is not a Scots name. The Scots form of that name is Ian. If you want to call him Ian Fetch, I shall say no more.”

[edit] References

• Concerning the names Iain, Ian, and Eoin by Josh Mittleman