iwan

Iwan is a term in Islamic and Persianate architecture referring to a rectangular hall or space that is vaulted and open on one side to a courtyard. Typically, an iwan is walled on three sides and emphasizes a grand arched opening facing the courtyard. The form is a central element of Persian and wider Middle Eastern architecture and appears in mosques, madrasas, palaces, and caravanserais. In many Iranian and Central Asian buildings, a four-iwan plan uses four iwans surrounding a central courtyard, with one iwan often larger and more elaborated as a prayer hall.

Iwan is also a masculine given name used in several languages. It is a variant of names such as Ivan, Ioan, or John, and is found in different European and Asian communities. In some contexts it is used without regard to a particular origin, reflecting cultural naming practices.

Notable people with the given name include Iwan Rheon, a Welsh actor best known for his role in Game of Thrones, and Iwan Thomas, a Welsh former sprinter and national athlete. The name appears in various media and historical records in different spellings, reflecting its cross-cultural usage.