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 experienced significant popularity and fluctuations over the years. From 1986 onwards, it began to gain traction, peaking with 38 births in 1992, followed by a high of 145 births in 2000. However, it has since declined, with only 11 births reported in 2022. Overall, there were 2712 babies named Aidan between 1973 and 2022.