Iyan
A boy's name with 347 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
that, it (near the person spoken to, but away from the speaker)
Iyan is a boy's baby name of Native American origin, from the Lakota Sioux tradition, meaning 'stone' or 'rock' — a symbol of strength, permanence, and elemental power. In Lakota spirituality, Inyan is one of the oldest and most fundamental spirits.
EtymologyShow more
Iyan's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. Names that emerged in late-twentieth-century America were often created by blending sounds, respelling existing names, or combining elements from multiple languages — a form of linguistic creativity that makes pinning down a single origin difficult.
What the data does show: Iyan has 347 recorded U.S. births as a boy's name, with its clean, contemporary ending among the most common endings in modern American names.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Iyan climbed 823 spots in the last 20 years — from #5936 to #5113.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 69 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 155 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 98 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 25 | — |
The Story of Iyan
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2013, Iyan is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Iyan are most likely born between 2003 and 2023.
How rare is Iyan?
Only about 1 in every 189,474 babies born in 2024 was named Iyan — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1993, peaked in the 2010s with 155 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Iyan by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1993–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | #5113 |
| 2023 | 13 | #6673 |
| 2022 | 13 | #6616 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7291 |
| 2020 | 13 | #6431 |
| 2019 | 19 | #5031 |
| 2018 | 19 | #4996 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6859 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5893 |
| 2015 | 11 | #7254 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5342 |
| 2013 | 19 | #4865 |
| 2012 | 14 | #6109 |
| 2011 | 17 | #5290 |
| 2010 | 12 | #6836 |
| 2009 | 10 | #7927 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6551 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7813 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11189 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7331 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iyan a boy's or girl's name?
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How popular is the name Iyan?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1993–2024