Aden

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-dun /ˈeɪ.dən/High

Meaning: Little fire; from Irish Gaelic Aodhan (little fire), a diminutive of Aodh (fire); or from Arabic Aden (the port city of Yemen)Medium

In 30 seconds: A spelling variant of Aidan, the Irish name meaning 'little fire,' from Aodh (fire god). The Aden spelling may also evoke the strategic port city of Aden, Yemen — the gateway to the Red Sea.

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Origin MediumIrish, Arabic

MeaningLittle fire; from Irish Gaelic Aodhan (little fire), a diminutive of Aodh (fire); or from Arabic Aden (the port city of Yemen)

U.S. rank (2024)#997 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births225 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 21,624

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aden is a spelling variant of Aidan/Aiden, from Irish Gaelic Aodhan (little fire), a diminutive of Aodh (fire, the fire deity). Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne bore this name. The Aden spelling removes the -i- for a simpler form.

Aden appeared in U.S. boys' charts as a variant of Aidan/Aiden. It ranked #997 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Aidan is named for Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne (d. 651 CE), an Irish monk who founded a monastery on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) off the northeast coast of England — one of the most important centers of Christian learning in Anglo-Saxon Britain.

Overall data confidence 83%

Behind the Name — Aidan — Irish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AidanAidenAyden

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne (590–651)
Irish monk who founded the monastery on Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and evangelized Northumbria as its first bishop. A key figure in early English Christianity.

If you like Aden…

Aiden— the most common spelling of the same Irish name

Aidan— the traditional Irish spelling of the same name

Kayden— modern -den ending name in the same popular cohort

Cayden— -den ending name from the same early-2000s wave

Brayden— -den ending name in the same popular boys' tier

Explore names like Aden

By themetwo-syllable irish variant-spelling gaelic fire

By meaningFire

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aden mean?

Aden means 'little fire,' a variant of Aidan, from Irish Gaelic Aodhan (little fire), diminutive of Aodh (fire).

How do you pronounce Aden?

It's said AY-dun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aden a boy or girl name?

Aden is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Aden?

Aden ranked #997 for U.S. boys in 2024.