This list includes 60 Male names that start with I, from “Iain” to “Izzy”. These names span traditional and modern choices from Celtic, Hebrew, Arabic, and South Asian origins. Parents, writers, genealogists, and curious readers use this list for naming and research.
[Male names that start with I] are male given names beginning with the letter I, used worldwide in many languages. A notable example is “Isaac”, a historically significant biblical name widely used across cultures.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Popularity, and Notable bearers.
Name: The actual male name starting with I, shown so you can scan options and compare spellings quickly.
Origin: The language or culture of origin, helping you understand the name’s background and cultural associations.
Meaning: A concise definition or root meaning, giving context about symbolism and possible interpretations for the name.
Popularity: Frequency or regional use notes that help you judge how common or unique the name will feel today.
Notable bearers: Examples of famous or historical people with the name, useful for cultural resonance and real-world associations.
Male names that start with I
| Name | Pronunciation | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian | EE-an | Scottish Gaelic | God is gracious |
| Iain | EE-in | Scottish Gaelic | God is gracious |
| Ibrahim | ih-brah-HEEM | Arabic | Father of many |
| Isaac | EYE-zək | Hebrew | He will laugh |
| Isaiah | eye-ZAY-uh | Hebrew | Yahweh is salvation |
| Isidore | IZ-ih-dor | Greek | Gift of Isis |
| Ishmael | ISH-may-əl | Hebrew | God will hear |
| Ivan | EE-vahn | Slavic | God is gracious |
| Ilya | ILL-yah | Russian/Hebrew | My God is Yahweh |
| Igor | EE-gor | Slavic | Derived from Old Norse Ingvar |
| Idris | ID-ris | Welsh/Arabic | Ardent lord / Interpreter |
| Imran | IM-rahn | Arabic | Prosperity / Exalted nation |
| Ignacio | ig-NAH-syo | Spanish/Latin | Fiery, ardent |
| Ismail | is-MYEL | Arabic | God will hear |
| Iskander | iss-KAN-der | Arabic/Persian | Defender of men (Alexander) |
| Isidro | ee-SEE-dro | Spanish | Gift of Isis |
| Isamu | ee-SAH-moo | Japanese | Courage, bravery |
| Italo | EE-tah-lo | Italian | Of Italy |
| Ivo | EE-voh | Germanic/Slavic | Yew (archer) or archer |
| Ivar | EE-var | Norse | Archer; warrior |
| Icarus | IK-ə-rəs | Greek (myth) | Mythological name (sun-flyer) |
| Inigo | ih-NEE-go | Basque/Spanish | My little one (from Eneko) |
| Irving | UR-ving | Scottish/English | Green water; sea friend |
| Irvin | UR-vin | English/Scots | Green water; friend of sea |
| Ira | EYE-rah | Hebrew | Watchful, watchman |
| Isaias | is-ah-EYE-us | Spanish/Greek | Yahweh is salvation |
| Ishan | ISH-ahn | Sanskrit/Hindi | Lord; sun; mastery |
| Ishaan | ISH-aan | Sanskrit/Hindi | Sun; lord; wealthy |
| Ilan | ee-LAHN | Hebrew | Tree |
| Ilia | ILL-ee-uh | Georgian/Russian | My God is Yahweh |
| Immanuel | ih-MAN-yoo-el | Hebrew | God is with us |
| Indra | IN-dra | Sanskrit | Lord of gods |
| Ioan | yo-AHN | Welsh/Romanian | God is gracious |
| Izaak | EE-zahk | Dutch/Hebrew | He will laugh |
| Izan | IH-zahn | Basque | To be (existence); Basque name |
| Iestyn | YES-tin | Welsh | Possibly “just” (related to Justin) |
| Iddo | ID-oh | Hebrew | Born later; ornament |
| Iker | EE-kehr | Basque | Visitation; bringing news |
| Ilir | EE-leer | Albanian | Free |
| Isa | EE-sah | Arabic | Jesus (Arabic form) |
| Iskandar | iss-KAN-dar | Persian/Arabic | Alexander (defender of men) |
| Ismael | is-MAH-el | Spanish/Arabic | God will hear |
| Izzat | iz-ZAHT | Arabic/Persian | Honor, prestige |
| Izzy | IZ-ee | English | Diminutive of Isaac/Isidore |
| Ike | EYEK | English | Diminutive of Isaac or Dwight |
| Ismet | ISH-met | Turkish | Purity, honesty |
| Ilyas | ih-LEE-as | Arabic/Turkic | God is Yahweh (Elias) |
| Imad | ih-MAD | Arabic | Pillar, support |
| Ihor | EE-hor | Ukrainian | Lordly; warrior |
| Isambard | iz-AM-bard | Old Germanic | Iron-bright (possibly “iron-sword”) |
| Ishwar | ISH-war | Sanskrit | Lord, supreme being |
| Inder | IN-der | Punjabi/Sanskrit | Derived from Indra (king of gods) |
| Inayat | in-AHY-at | Persian/Urdu | Kindness, favor |
| Iqbal | ik-BAL | Persian/Urdu | Power, honor |
| Irfan | IR-fahn | Arabic/Persian | Knowledge, wisdom |
| Ivor | EYE-vor | Welsh/Norse | Yew, bow army |
| Ives | EEVZ | French/English | Yew tree |
| Israel | IZ-ray-el | Hebrew | God contends |
| Itzhak | it-ZHAHK | Hebrew | He will laugh |
| Iskandar | iss-KAN-dar | Malay/Arabic | Alexander (defender of men) |
Descriptions
Ian
Popular English-language form of John; used widely in UK/US. Notables: Ian McKellen, Ian Fleming. Simple, classic name with many variants.
Iain
Traditional Scottish spelling of Ian; common in Scotland. Notables: Iain Banks (author). Slightly more regional than Ian.
Ibrahim
Arabic form of Abraham, central in Islamic tradition. Notable bearers: Ibrahim (prophet), footballers and leaders across Muslim-majority countries.
Isaac
Biblical patriarch; enduring English classic. Notables: Isaac Newton, Isaac Asimov. Popular across faiths and cultures.
Isaiah
Biblical prophet and increasingly popular modern choice. Notables: Isaiah Berlin, Isaiah Thomas. Strong literary and religious resonance.
Isidore
Ancient Greek name adopted in Christian contexts. Notable: Isidore of Seville. Formal, historic, with nicknames Izzy or Ise.
Ishmael
Biblical son of Abraham; literary fame as Moby-Dick narrator. Notable: Ishmael (Bible), Ishmael Reed. Distinctive, historical.
Ivan
Pan-Slavic form of John; very common in Eastern Europe. Notables: Ivan the Terrible, Ivan Pavlov. Familiar and strong.
Ilya
Russian form of Elijah/Elias; common in Slavic countries. Notables: Ilya Repin, Ilya Kovalchuk.
Igor
Common Slavic name, famous in arts and fiction. Notables: Igor Stravinsky. Distinctive, often evokes Slavic culture.
Idris
Dual heritage: Welsh royal name and Arabic prophet. Notables: Idris Elba (actor), Prophet Idris in Islam. Stylish and cross-cultural.
Imran
Common Muslim name (Qur’anic family name of Mary). Notables: Imran Khan. Popular in South Asia and the Middle East.
Ignacio
Spanish form related to Ignatius; often shortened to Nacho. Notables: Ignacio (“Nacho”) Fernández. Classical Spanish flavour.
Ismail
Arabic form of Ishmael; common across Muslim cultures. Notables: Ismail I (Safavid shah). Traditional and religiously significant.
Iskander
Middle Eastern form of Alexander. Notables: Iskander (various rulers). Historic and pan-regional.
Isidro
Spanish form of Isidore; associated with Saint Isidro. Notables: San Isidro festivals in Spain and Latin America.
Isamu
Japanese masculine name; modernist appeal. Notable: Isamu Noguchi (sculptor). Short, strong, artistic associations.
Italo
Italian name meaning “Italian”; literary usage common. Notable: Italo Calvino (writer). Distinctive Italian flair.
Ivo
Medieval Germanic name revived in Europe. Notables: Ivo Andrić (Nobel laureate). Short and continental.
Ivar
Viking-era name with strong historical resonance. Notable: Ivar the Boneless. Bold, ancient Norse feel.
Icarus
Famous Greek myth of flight and hubris. Notable: Icarus (myth). Rare as a modern given name but culturally resonant.
Inigo
Spanish/Basque name famed in literature. Notable: Inigo Montoya (fictional). Charming, slightly adventurous.
Irving
Victorian-era given name, literary/urban usage. Notable: Irving Berlin (composer). Polished, vintage.
Irvin
Variant of Irving; used in English-speaking countries. Notable: Irvin Kershner (director). Less common than Irving.
Ira
Biblical male name used in English and India (unisex elsewhere). Notables: Ira Gershwin. Short, classic.
Isaias
Spanish/Portuguese form of Isaiah. Notable: Isaias Afwerki (Eritrean president). Common in Spanish-speaking regions.
Ishan
Indian male name with spiritual connotations. Notable: Ishan Kishan (cricketer). Modern and melodic.
Ishaan
Variant spelling common in South Asia. Notable: Ishaan Khatter (actor). Popular, youthful.
Ilan
Modern Hebrew name popular in Israel. Notable: Ilan Ramon (astronaut). Natural, simple, evocative.
Ilia
Georgian and Slavic variant of Elijah; used widely in Eastern Europe. Notable: Ilia Chavchavadze (Georgian figure).
Immanuel
Biblical theophoric name used in theology and literature. Notable: Immanuel Kant. Strong, philosophical resonance.
Indra
Name of the Vedic storm god; used as masculine name in South/Southeast Asia. Notable: Indra (Hindu deity). Powerful and mythic.
Ioan
Welsh/Romanian form of John; common regionally. Notable: Ioan Gruffudd (actor). Traditional in those languages.
Izaak
Dutch/Polish spelling of Isaac; used across Europe. Notable: Izaak Walton (author). Variant with classic roots.
Izan
Contemporary Basque male name gaining broader use. Notable: Izan Guevara (racer). Short, modern.
Iestyn
Traditional Welsh name with medieval saints. Notable: St. Iestyn (Welsh tradition). Regional and historic.
Iddo
Biblical minor prophet and genealogical name. Notable: Iddo (biblical references). Rare but ancient.
Iker
Modern Basque name popular in Spain. Notable: Iker Casillas (footballer). Stylish and athletic.
Ilir
Common Albanian male name. Notable: Ilir Meta (politician). Strong, national resonance.
Isa
Qur’anic name for Jesus; common in Muslim cultures. Notable: Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Revered and religiously significant.
Iskandar
Variant of Alexander common in South/Southeast Asia. Notable: Sultan Iskandar (regional rulers). Historic and royal.
Ismael
Spanish form of Ismail/Ishmael; widespread in Hispanic cultures. Notable: Ismael Serrano (singer). Traditional and biblical.
Izzat
Male given name across Arabic and South Asian communities. Notable: Used widely in Pakistan/Bangladesh. Strong, dignified.
Izzy
Common affectionate short form often used as a given name. Notable: Izzy Stradlin (musician). Casual and friendly.
Ike
Popular short form sometimes used formally. Notables: Ike Turner. Feels informal but recognizable.
Ismet
Turkish male name common in the Ottoman and modern Turkish world. Notable: İsmet İnönü (Turkish statesman).
Ilyas
Muslim form of Elias/Elijah. Notable: Ilyas Kashmiri (public figure). Widespread in Muslim communities.
Imad
Arabic male name conveying strength. Notable: Imad Karim (various public figures). Solid, traditional.
Ihor
Ukrainian form of Igor; common in Ukraine. Notable: Ihor Kolomoyskyi (businessman). Regional Slavic usage.
Isambard
Rare historic name, famous from engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Distinctive Victorian-era flair.
Ishwar
Indian male name derived from a title for God. Notable: Used in South Asia. Spiritual and traditional.
Inder
Common in Punjab and Sikh communities. Notable: Inder Kumar (actor). Regional and strong.
Inayat
Poetic South Asian name used for boys. Notable: Inayat Khan (musician). Gentle, spiritual connotations.
Iqbal
Famous South Asian name after poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal. Notable: Allama Iqbal. Literary and national resonance.
Irfan
Common across South Asia and the Middle East. Notable: Irfan Khan (several actors). Intellectual tone.
Ivor
Traditional Welsh name used in Britain. Notable: Ivor Novello (composer). Old-fashioned charm.
Ives
Variant related to Yves; used as given name in English contexts. Notable: Ives (rarely as first name). Short, classical.
Israel
Biblical name and country name; used as male given name. Notables: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, Israel (biblical patriarch). Strong historic weight.
Itzhak
Hebrew transliteration of Isaac used by Hebrew speakers. Notable: Itzhak Perlman (violinist). Distinctive Jewish form.
Iskandar
Southeast Asian spelling of Iskander; royal and historical usage. Notable: Sultan Iskandar (Malay royalty).