Irish boy name
Aidan Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Aidan means little fire. Anglicised form of Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, meaning fire
Aidan is the anglicised form of Aodhán, itself a small form of Aodh, meaning fire. Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, an Irish monk trained on Iona, evangelised Northumbria in the seventh century and is a patron of the north of England. A second Aidan, Máedóc of Ferns, is also honoured in Ireland. Today the name is widely used across the English-speaking world, with variants such as Aiden. Well-known bearers include the actors Aidan Gillen and Aidan Turner. It is warm, friendly and easy to pronounce, and it comes with a deep Irish heritage.
Variants of Aidan
AodhánAidenAedanAedán
Well-known people named Aidan
Aidan Gillen, Aidan Turner.
Aidan popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Aidan ranked #85 in Ireland (72 babies) and #326 in the US (1,043 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aidan mean?
Aidan means "little fire". Anglicised form of Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, meaning fire.
How do you pronounce Aidan?
Aidan is pronounced AY-dun.
What is the origin of Aidan?
Aidan is of Irish origin. Anglicised form of Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, meaning fire.