Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

537 Shares
537 Shares
FriJul 5

National Ian Day – July 5, 2024

National Ian Day is celebrated every July 5. Ian is a conventionally masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin and is the Scottish version of John. Both come from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” There have been numerous iconic and famous Ians across history, including Ian Somerhalder of “The Vampire Diaries” fame. The point of National Ian Day is to celebrate all of the lovely Ians across the world and to let them know how much we appreciate them!

History of National Ian Day

The world is littered with Ians. They’re everywhere! Famous writers, musicians, sports personalities, and more share the name. Among the notable Ians are actors Sir Ian McKellen, known for playing Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” franchise, and Ian Somerhalder, who portrayed broody vampire Damon in “The Vampire Diaries.”

“The Vampire Diaries” is an American supernatural teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name by L. J. Smith. Based in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the series follows the life of protagonist Elena Gilbert. Gilbert soon falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore, but the relationship is soon disrupted by Stefan’s older brother, Damon. Somerhalder was cast as Damon in June 2009, just months before the series premiered. His character was turned into a vampire by Katherine Pierce 145 years before the pilot. He was initially portrayed to be charming yet cruel, a creature of the night who takes pleasure in killing and feeding on humans. Throughout the series, Damon goes from being an unfeeling antagonist to a more anti-heroic figure to one of the show’s two primary male protagonists.

“The Vampire Diaries” and its spin-off series have a dedicated fandom still thriving despite the show’s conclusion, and Somerhalder’s character has been a fan favorite since the series’ debut. His “bad boy” image and Somerhalder’s dashing appearance add to the character’s appeal.

National Ian Day timeline

1900
Rising Popularity

‘Ian’ becomes England’s and Wales’s 180th most popular male name.

1978
The Birth of an Ian

Ian Somerhalder is born.

June 2009
Somerhalder is cast as Damon Salvatore

Somerhalder is cast as the brooding Salvatore brother in “The Vampire Diaries.”

September 2009
“The Vampire Diaries”

“The Vampire Diaries” begins airing on the CW.

National Ian Day FAQs

Is Ian a unisex name?

Though it’s conventionally a masculine name, all names are unisex.

How many Ians are there in the world?

In 2021, 4,276 newborns were named Ian, with only six of them being girls.

Is Ian a saint’s name?

There was a saint named Ian the Pagan.

National Ian Day Activities

  1. Show an Ian you appreciate them

    If you’re lucky enough to have an Ian in your life, tell them how much you appreciate their presence. We’re sure they’ll love hearing a kind word from you.

  2. Look up your name’s etymology

    Your name — whether or not it’s Ian — is bound to have an exciting history. Why not research its origin to find something that makes you even more special.

  3. Binge watch movies starring a famous Ian

    Ian Somerhalder isn’t the only leading man with this name. Look up other actors named Ian and spend the day watching their films or television shows. You might even find something you love.

5 Facts About “The Vampire Diaries”

  1. It’s very popular

    The show’s premiere was one of the CW’s most-watched at the time.

  2. Its characters almost had different names

    The vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon, were almost named Whitmore instead of the now-iconic Salvatore.

  3. It’s based on a book

    The series is based on a book series of the same name.

  4. It features 90s music

    Each episode of the show’s sixth season was named after songs released in the 1990s.

  5. It came full circle

    The final season’s episodes were named after a quote from the first season.

Why We Love National Ian Day

  1. It encourages deep-diving into history

    Tons of Ians have contributed incredible things to society. This day encourages us to look back at all they’ve done.

  2. It leads to a cute party trick

    Knowing what different names mean is a neat party trick. Next time we meet an Ian, we’ll be ready with some fun facts to break the ice.

  3. We want to celebrate Ians

    So many of us know an Ian or two. National Ian Day is a great way to celebrate and appreciate them.

National Ian Day dates

YearDateDay
2024July 5Friday
2025July 5Saturday
2026July 5Sunday
2027July 5Monday
2028July 5Wednesday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.