Aiden

Pronunciation: [ ayd-EHN ]

Boy Name #47 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

An ancient fire god's name brought to life

Irish English American

Modern Playful Bold Earthy Unique

Meaning & Origin

"Little fire; born of fire"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish Gaelic

"From the Irish 'Aodhan', a diminutive of Aodh, the Celtic god of fire and sun; Americanized spelling of Aidan"

Origin: Irish

Language: Irish Gaelic

"little fire"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"fiery, warm"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Irish

Things to Know About This Name

Part of the '-aiden' rhyme cluster (Aiden, Caden, Jayden, Brayden) that some see as overly trendy or blending together

The Story of Aiden

Aiden is an anglicized form of the Irish name Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh (meaning 'fire' or 'fiery one'). Aodh was the name of the Celtic sun god, and Saint Aidan of Iona (died 651 AD) was one of Ireland's most revered missionaries who brought Christianity to Northumbria in England. The name carries ancient Celtic solar energy.

Aiden exploded in the US in the late 1990s and 2000s as part of the broader '-aiden' naming wave (Jayden, Caden, Braden, Hayden). It peaked around 2010-2012 in the top 10, then began declining as the generation of Aidens grew up and parents sought to differentiate. The original Irish spelling Aidan is considered more authentic.

Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne was a 7th-century Irish monk sent from Iona to Christianize Northumbria, and he is venerated as the Apostle of Northumbria. In Celtic mythology, Aodh (fire) was associated with the sun and was one of the Tuatha Dé Danann — the supernatural race of pre-Christian Ireland.

Fun Facts

Aodh, the root of Aiden, was the name of the Celtic sun and fire god
Saint Aidan (c.590-651) is credited with converting much of northern England to Christianity
The -aiden rhyme group (Aiden, Jayden, Caden, Braden) became one of the most distinctive naming trends of the 2000s

Aiden in Other Languages

Irish Aodhán

Welsh Aidan

French Aidan

Scottish Gaelic Aodhán

Famous People Named Aiden

Aidan Gallagher

Actor

2003

American actor known for playing Number Five in The Umbrella Academy on Netflix

Aidan Turner

Actor

1983

Irish actor known for Poldark and as Kili the dwarf in The Hobbit film trilogy

Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne

Religious

7th-century Irish monk who founded the monastery of Lindisfarne and is credited with converting Northumbria to Christian...

7th-century Irish monk who founded the monastery of Lindisfarne and is credited with converting Northumbria to Christianity

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #47
Total SSA Count: 6,243
Cultural Origins: Irish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Aide A

Pairs Well With

Aiden James Aiden Michael Aiden Thomas Aiden Cole Aiden Ryan Aiden Scott Aiden Reid

Sibling Names

Liam Caden Owen Brynn Fiona Nora Declan

Also a Girl Name

Aiden is also used as a girl name, ranked #5282.

View Aiden as a girl name →

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Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Aiden

What does the name Aiden mean?

"Little fire; born of fire" (from Irish Gaelic). "From the Irish 'Aodhan', a diminutive of Aodh, the Celtic god of fire and sun; Americanized spelling of Aidan" (from Irish). "little fire" (from Irish Gaelic). "fiery, warm" (from Celtic). Aiden is an anglicized form of the Irish name Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh (meaning 'fire' or 'fiery one'). Aodh was the name of the Celtic sun god, and Saint Aidan of Iona (died 651 AD) was one of Ireland's most revered missionaries who brought Christianity to Northumbria in England. The name carries ancient Celtic solar energy.

What is the origin of the name Aiden?

Aiden has Irish Gaelic, Irish, Celtic, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "Little fire; born of fire". In Irish, it means "From the Irish 'Aodhan', a diminutive of Aodh, the Celtic god of fire and sun; Americanized spelling of Aidan". In Irish Gaelic, it means "little fire". In Celtic, it means "fiery, warm".

Is Aiden a boy or girl name?

Aiden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #47. As a girl name, it is ranked #5282. Aiden is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Aiden?

Aiden is pronounced ayd-EHN.

How popular is the name Aiden?

Aiden is currently ranked #47 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Aiden?

Common nicknames for Aiden include Aide and A.

What are good middle names for Aiden?

Popular middle name pairings include Aiden James, Aiden Michael, Aiden Thomas, Aiden Cole, Aiden Ryan, Aiden Scott, and Aiden Reid.

What are good sibling names for Aiden?

Names that pair well with Aiden as siblings include Liam, Caden, Owen, Brynn, Fiona, Nora, and Declan.

How many syllables does Aiden have?

Aiden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Aiden a common or rare name?

Aiden is a very popular name, ranked #47 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Aiden

Aiden is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "Little fire; born of fire" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Aiden a boy or girl name? Aiden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #47 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,282. Aiden is more commonly used as a boy name.

Aiden is currently ranked #47 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Aiden has 2 syllables and is pronounced ayd-EHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Aiden include Aide and A. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.