Aidan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Old Irish name Áedán. The name Áedán is composed of the elements áed, which means "fire," and ná, which means "helper" or "noble." Therefore, Aidan means "little fire" or "fiery helper."
The name Aidan has a long history in Ireland, with several notable figures sharing this name. One of the most famous is Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, who was a monk and bishop during the 7th century. He was known for his great learning and holiness, and he founded the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England.
Another notable figure with the name Aidan was Aidan O'Brien, an Irish horse trainer who has won multiple Group 1 races throughout his career. Additionally, there are several other historical figures and literary characters named Aidan, further cementing this name's place in history and popular culture.
In recent years, the name Aidan has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its popularity can be attributed to its unique sound, Irish heritage, and strong historical ties. Overall, Aidan is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin that continues to captivate people today.
The name Aidan has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past five decades in the United States. In the early 1970s, it was relatively uncommon, with only seven babies named Aidan born in 1973. However, by the late 1980s, its popularity began to grow, reaching a peak of 21 births in 1988.
The 1990s marked a significant turning point for the name Aidan. It started with 35 births in 1994 but experienced exponential growth over the next few years, reaching an all-time high of 194 births in 2001. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with a total of 2712 babies named Aidan born in the United States between 1973 and 2022.
However, after reaching its peak popularity around the turn of the millennium, the name Aidan has since declined in popularity. From 2005 onwards, there were fewer than 169 births per year, and by 2022, only eleven babies were named Aidan in the United States. Despite this recent decline, the name Aidan remains a classic choice for parents seeking a timeless and distinctive name for their child.