Declining since 1991.
Popularity of Ibn since 1970
Babies named Ibn per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1990, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ibn's real moment was 1979.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 168 |
| 1980s | 186 |
| 1990s | 216 |
| 2000s | 194 |
| 2010s | 122 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Ibn is a rare Arabic name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1970, reaching its peak popularity in 1979. Since 1991 its usage has been steadily declining, and as of 2025 it remains uncommon with no recorded rank. While traditionally a patronymic prefix meaning 'son of' in classical Arabic naming, in modern times it is occasionally adopted as a standalone given name, though this practice is still very rare outside of Arabic-speaking communities.
Ibn is the Arabic word for 'son,' functioning as a patronymic prefix in traditional Arabic naming conventions (e.g., Ibn Khaldun). Historically, it is rarely used as a standalone given name outside of North Africa and the Middle East, where it is sometimes adopted as a first name in modern times.
“Ibn” around the world
Where Ibn lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Ibn
Names that share Ibn's style, for a brother or sister.
