The origin of the name Aidan is thought to have its roots in Irish mythology. Aidan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic names Aedan and Aodhan. These names are linked to Aodh, the Celtic god of Sun and fire. Aidan is believed to mean little fire.
Aidan with an ‘a’ is the English variation of the old Irish names Aedan and Aodhan, but this name can also be spelled with an ‘e’. Aiden is the Americanized version of this Gaelic name.
There were many Kings and Saints in ancient Ireland with the name Aodhan. For example, St Aidan was believed to be kind yet powerful and is thought to have freed slaves and helped people living in poverty.
Aidan can be used as a unisex name, it means ‘little and fiery’. However, Aidan is more commonly used as a masculine name and is a more popular choice for baby boys than girls.
Popular nicknames for Aidan include Ade, Dan, Danny, Adie, Addy.
- Aidan Name Origin: Irish
- Aidan Name Meaning: Little fire
- Pronunciation: Ey – Dun
- Gender: Male
How Popular is the Name Aidan?
Aidan has its roots in ancient Ireland but remains a popular boys’ name today. Between 1901 and 1990, Aidan was missing from the top 1000 most popular baby boys’ names. It wasn’t until 1991 that Aidan reentered that chart at #797.
This name has been growing in popularity in recent decades and according to Social Security Administration data, Aidan was the 286th most popular boys’ name in 2021. Aidan reached its peak popularity position in 2003, when it was number 39 on the chart.
Variations of the Name Aidan
If you like the name Aidan, you may also feel inspired by one of these variations from different countries with alternative spellings.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Adan | Earth / Fire | Welsh |
| Aiden | Little fire | Irish |
| Aido | Fire | Italian |
| Aedan | Little fire / Fiery | Welsh |
| Ayden | Little fire | Irish |
Other Amazing Gaelic Boys’ Names
Aidan may not be ‘the one’ for your baby, so why not try one of these other Gaelic names instead?
| Name | Meaning |
| Eoghan | Born of the yew tree |
| Eamon | Wealthy protector |
| Fergus | The strong one |
| Conor | Lover of wolves |
| Niall | Champion |
| Oisin | Little deer |
| Finn | Fair |
Alternative Boys Names Starting with ‘A’
Aidan is a sweet boy’s name, but there are many other masculine names starting with ‘A’ that may also inspire you.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Abraham | Father of many | Hebrew |
| Adam | Red | Hebrew |
| Ajay | Invincible | Sanskrit |
| Alexander | Defender of men | Greek |
| Ali | Excellent or noble | Arabic |
| Aneurin | Honorable and noble | Welsh |
| Angus | One choice | Gaelic |
Famous People Named Aidan
Aidan has many different spelling variations and has been around since the Celtic times in Ireland. Originally spelled Aeodhan, there have been many well-known people with this name over the years. Here is a list of some of the most famous people called Aidan:
- Aidan Turner – Irish actor.
- Aidan Gallagher – American actor.
- Aidan Quinn – Irish actor.
- Aidan Mitchell – American child actor.
- Aidan Baker – Canadian musician.