Iyan
Meaning of Iyan
Originating from the Yoruba linguistic tradition of southwestern Nigeria, Iyan (pronounced ee-YAHN /iˈjɑn/) functions both as a personal name and as a cultural signifier closely tied to the staple dish of pounded yam—connoting nourishment, communal cohesion and ancestral continuity. Over the past three decades its adoption among male newborns in the United States, as recorded by Social Security data, has remained modest yet enduring: first entering the national top 1,000 in 1993 with six occurrences (rank 773) and most recently registering nineteen occurrences (rank 905) in 2024, with fluctuations that underscore its position as a distinctive choice for families seeking to honor Yoruba heritage within an Anglo-American context. While relatively rare in broader naming conventions, Iyan’s sustained presence attests to a growing preference for names that combine phonetic clarity—through its two-syllable structure—and profound cultural resonance, appealing to parents in search of technical precision and lasting significance.
Pronunciation
Nigerian (Yoruba)
- Pronunced as ee-YAHN (/iˈjɑn/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
