Aiden Name Meaning
Learn about the meaning, popularity, and origin of the name Aiden.
Fact checked by Karen Cilli
Are you looking for a contemporary name with vintage origins for your baby? Aiden might be just the right pick for you.
The name Aiden, meaning "little fire," has roots in Irish mythology. In the Gaelic language, Aodh is the name of the Celtic god of sun and fire. Aed is taken from the word Aodh.
The diminutive forms Aedan or Aodhan come from these root words. Aidan is the anglicized version of Aodhan, while Aiden spelled with an "e" is an Americanized variation.
Aodhan was the name of several ancient High Kings of Ireland as well as the name of many notable early Irish saints. One of the most famous is St. Aidan (Naomh Aodhán) of Iona (Scotland), who brought Christianity to the pagan Saxons during the 7th century when he established a monastery in Northumbria (England).
According to tradition, St. Aidan was a powerful, compassionate person who freed enslaved people and helped the poor.
Origin: The name Aiden comes from Irish mythology and Gaelic roots where Aodh was a Celtic sun god. The diminutive Aodhan means "little fire."
Gender: Although Aiden was traditionally a boy’s name, it has been used as a girl's name in recent years. Feminine variations include Aidyn or Ayden.
Pronunciation: EY-din
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
Tatyana Tomsickova Photography / Getty Images
How Popular Is the Name Aiden?
Today, Aiden is a very popular name. However, it was uncommon in America until the early 2000s. The name Aiden did not make it to the top 1,000 names for baby boys in the United States until 1995. At that point, it rapidly increased in popularity, jumping from 937 to its top spot of 9 in 2010.
Aiden broke into the top 100 baby boy names in 2003 and continued to gain steam. Many people attribute this rise in popularity to the television series Sex and the City, which originally aired from 1999 until 2004. The protagonist Carrie Bradshaw had a love interest on the show named Aidan.
The name Aiden is now on a slow decline in popularity but it's still trendy. In 2020, it was ranked at No. 24. In 2022, it dropped a few spots to 29.
Although the name Aiden is typically still used as a boy name, some parents choose to name their daughters Aiden since sex doesn’t have to be a deciding part of your name selection process.
Its feminine variations also share similar meanings and pronunciations. The name has yet to be ranked in the top 1,000 names in the United States for female births.
Related: The Top 10 Most Popular Baby Names in Every State
How To Spell Aiden and Other Name Variations
Aiden has several spelling variations. It also has variations in several European languages. These include:
Aiden Nicknames
Compared to other names, there are relatively few nicknames that are commonly used for Aiden. Creative parents who choose the name may naturally adopt a cutesy nickname for their little one while other possible nicknames are suitable for both children and adults. Here are a few nicknames for the name Aiden:
A
Ay-ay
Ay-bae
Aydie / Adie
Aydie Bear
Dan
Danny
Den
Denny
Similar Sounding Names
Some similar-sounding names include:
Adam
Adele
Adrienne
Cayden
Dane
Dean
Eden
Ivan
Odin
Suggested Sibling Names
Other Gaelic boy and girl names include:
Aisling
Allen
Dierdre
Eileen
Erin
Finn
Kyle
Logan
Kellin
Maeve
Reagan
Rowan
Ryan
Shannon
Sullivan
Famous People Named Aiden or Aidan
Though it hasn't been popular in America until the past two decades, the name Aiden stretches all the way back to ancient Irish history. As such, there are many European actors and football stars named Aidan while famous American Aidens and Aidans are still rare.
Famous Aidens or Aidans
Aidan Gallagher, American actor
Aidan Gould, American actor
Aidan McArdle, Irish actor
Aidan Moffat, Scottish vocalist and musician
Aiden Moffat, British race car driver
Aidan O’Kane, European football player
Aiden Palmer, European football player
Aidan Prince, American dancer and social media sensation
Aidan Price, European football player
Aidan Turner, Irish actor
Fictional characters Named Aiden or Aidan
Aidan Brosnan, character from television series EastEnders
Aiden Burn, female character from television series CSI: NY
Aidan Devane, character from television soap opera All My Children
Aidan Lynch, character from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Aidan Shaw, character from television series Sex and the City
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Parents.
