Aidan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the old Irish name Áedán. It is composed of two elements: "Áed" which means "fire" or "noble", and "-án" which is a diminutive suffix. Therefore, Aidan can be interpreted as meaning "little fiery one".
The name Aidan has been popular among the Irish for centuries. One of the most notable figures bearing this name is Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, who was a monk and bishop in the 7th century. He was known for his piety, learning, and generosity, and he founded many monasteries during his lifetime.
Aidan has also been used as a personal name among non-Irish populations. In recent years, it has gained popularity outside of Ireland, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Overall, Aidan is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history dating back to ancient Ireland. Its meaning adds to its appeal, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a meaningful and unique name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Aidan has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
In the mid-20th century, from 1957 to 1970, the number of babies named Aidan ranged between 5 and 14 per year. This indicates that the name was relatively uncommon during this period.
However, starting in the late 1970s, there was a notable increase in the usage of the name Aidan. In 1978, there were 31 babies named Aidan, marking a significant jump from previous years. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of annual births with the name Aidan consistently increasing.
The turning point came in the mid-1990s. In 1994, there were 517 babies named Aidan, and this figure more than doubled to 1381 in just three years by 1997. This suggests that the name Aidan gained considerable popularity during this time.
The peak of popularity for the name Aidan occurred in 2002 with a total of 10,067 babies being named Aidan that year. Since then, the popularity of the name has somewhat decreased but remains high compared to previous decades. In 2023, there were still 1111 births with the name Aidan.
In conclusion, while the name Aidan was once relatively uncommon in the United States, it has since become quite popular, reaching its peak around two decades ago and remaining common today. Overall, over the period from 1957 to 2023, approximately 116,260 babies were named Aidan in the U.S., indicating that it is now a well-established name choice for parents.