Iain is a distinctive choice, ranked #3990 in 2021. Your child is likely to be the only Iain in their class.
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UK Rank 2021
#3990
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About the Name Iain
Iain has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 911 places in five years. It was most popular in 1996 at #319 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Iain is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Iain in their class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Iain
Unlikely. With around 4 UK babies named Iain per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Iain in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Iain is declining: down 911 places since 2016, to #3,990 in 2021. It peaked at #319 in 1996.
Iain is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.
Iain does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice — your child is unlikely to encounter American Iains in the wild.
4
UK babies named Iain (2021)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
< 1
In a school of 600
↓ 911 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Iain
Almost certainly the only Iain in the class
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UK Popularity (1996–2021)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
No US data available for this name
✨ Similar names to Iain
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story