Ayan
Say it: AY-an
Boy4 letters2 syllables
#262
in Ireland (2025)
#255 with spellings combined
17
babies in 2025
#255
best rank (2025)
100
babies since 2013
Ayan through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #255 |
| 2024 | 14 | #279 |
| 2023 | 15 | #280 |
| 2022 | 14 | #297 |
| 2021 | 11 | #339 |
| 2020 | 9 | #391 |
| 2019 | 10 | #357 |
| 2016 | 4 | #601 |
| 2014 | 3 | #715 |
| 2013 | 3 | #712 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ayan mean?
Uncertain; it has different meanings in different languages
Used in South Asia, Central Asia and the Muslim world, with more than one origin.
Say it right
AYan
Many families say ah-YAN, with the stress on the second syllable.
The story of Ayan
Ayan is used in many parts of the world, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan and Somalia, and it does not have one agreed origin. Some sources link it with an Arabic word for an age or era, but the explanation is not well supported, and families in different countries give it different meanings. We have left the meaning open rather than pick one.
Its short, simple sound travels easily between languages, which helps explain why it is found in so many places. The similar names Ayaan and Rayan are also used.
In Ireland Ayan first reached three babies a year in 2013, and it has grown quickly since. It had its best year yet in 2025, with 17 boys and a combined rank of number 255. The CSO counts Ayan and Ayaan as separate names.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ayan (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ayan (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ayan | 17 | 100 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #312 (2023); 5 babies since 2023.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Ayan is also given to girls: 3 since 2024.