Iban

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Iban

Pronounced ee-BAHN /iˈbɑn/Medium

Meaning: Iban is chiefly the Basque form of John, from the Hebrew Yohanan, 'God is gracious', a sibling of Spanish Juan and Italian Giovanni. The same spelling is also the name of the Iban, an Indigenous people of Borneo, so a given Iban may reflect either Basque heritage or a Southeast-Asian connection; the source should be confirmed case by case.Low

In 30 seconds: Iban is the Basque form of John, meaning 'God is gracious', and also the name of a Borneo people. It appeared quietly in American records from the seventies (said 'ee-BAHN').

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Origin LowBasque

MeaningIban is chiefly the Basque form of John, from the Hebrew Yohanan, 'God is gracious', a sibling of Spanish Juan and Italian Giovanni. The same spelling is also the name of the Iban, an Indigenous people of Borneo, so a given Iban may reflect either Basque heritage or a Southeast-Asian connection; the source should be confirmed case by case.

U.S. rank (2019)#11288 ↗ Rising

2019 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 524

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iban is best known as the Basque version of John, from the Hebrew for 'God is gracious'. The same form doubles as the name of the Iban people of Borneo, a second, unrelated source.

It surfaces in American data from about 1973, peaks faintly near 2002, and continues thinly into the twenty-tens. It was always rare, likely reflecting both Basque-heritage and immigrant families.

Did you know? In the Basque Country, Iban is simply their John - the local cousin of Juan and Ivan - yet the identical spelling also names the Iban people of Borneo, giving one short name two very different homes.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Iban — Basque form of John; also Iban people of Borneo

Variations

IbonIvanYbanIbane

Nicknames

IbiBan

Famous Bearers

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If you like Iban…

Ivan— a Slavic cousin form of the same name John

Aitor— a fellow Basque boy's name

Iker— a Basque name from the same naming tradition

Unai— another Basque given name of the region

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iban mean?

Iban is the Basque form of John, meaning 'God is gracious'; it is also the name of a Borneo people.

How do you pronounce Iban?

It's said ee-BAHN /iˈbɑn/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iban a boy or girl name?

Iban has been used as a boy's name.

How popular is Iban?

Iban has always been rare in the United States, appearing among heritage and immigrant families.