Itan

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-tahn /ˈi.tɑn/Medium

Meaning: From the Yoruba itan, 'a story; a legend; history; a narrative'; also read as a modern coinage; routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A story; a legend; history: Itan is Yoruba. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'EE-tahn').

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Origin LowYoruba, Nigerian

MeaningFrom the Yoruba itan, 'a story; a legend; history; a narrative'; also read as a modern coinage; routes uncertain

U.S. rank (2024)#9318 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 23

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

Itan comes from the Yoruba itan, 'a story; a legend; history; a narrative' — also read as a modern coinage (routes uncertain, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'EE-tahn').

In the U.S. it appears in Nigerian families. Rare, a-story-and-a-legend at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Itan means 'a story; a legend; history' in Yoruba — a crisp, storied name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'EE-tahn').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Itan — Yoruba; routes uncertain

Variations

IthanItanel

Nicknames

Ita

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Itan…

Ethan— a sound-neighbor It-/Eth- boys' name

Ayo— a companion Yoruba boys' name

Darey— lands in the same popularity range

Tobi— a fellow Yoruba choice

Tayo— shares Itan's Yoruba roots

Explore names like Itan

By themeuncertain yoruba nigerian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Itan mean?

Itan is Yoruba for 'a story; a legend; history'; also read as a modern coinage, so we note the routes.

How do you pronounce Itan?

It's said EE-tahn /ˈi.tɑn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Itan a boy or girl name?

Itan is a boy's name.

How popular is Itan?

Itan is a very rare name in the U.S.