Edan

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-dan /ˈiː.dɑn/High

Meaning: From Irish Gaelic Aodhan (from aodh, fire) or a variant of Hebrew Eden (delight, pleasure); the Irish fire meaning is the primary usageHigh

In 30 seconds: Edan is primarily an Irish Gaelic name meaning little fire, a variant of Aidan. It has also been used as a form of the Hebrew name Eden. Short, vibrant, and rooted in Celtic tradition, it fits the modern taste for brief, meaningful names.

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Origin HighIrish Gaelic, Hebrew

MeaningFrom Irish Gaelic Aodhan (from aodh, fire) or a variant of Hebrew Eden (delight, pleasure); the Irish fire meaning is the primary usage

U.S. rank (2024)#3108 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births39 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,495

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Edan is a variant of Aodhan (anglicized Aidan), from Old Irish aodh (fire), the name of the Celtic sun and fire deity. The name was borne by Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne (died 651 AD), one of the most celebrated Celtic Christian missionaries who evangelized northern England. Edan is a less common phonetic spelling that brings the name closer to its modern sound.

Edan as a spelling is found in Scotland and Ireland and has appeared in the United States among parents seeking alternatives to the very popular Aidan/Aiden. It is also occasionally used as a variant of the Hebrew Eden. The name fits the contemporary preference for short, two-syllable boys names with Celtic roots.

Did you know? The Celtic fire god Aodh (anglicized as Hugh) was one of the Tuatha De Danann in Irish mythology, and many names derive from his root — including Aidan, Aodhán, and Edan. The fire element gives these names a particularly vivid and energetic quality.

Overall data confidence 83%

Behind the Name — Aidan — Irish Gaelic etymology and saint connectionOxford Dictionary of First Names — Aidan/Edan entry

Variations

AidanAidenEdenAedan

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Aidan of Lindisfarne (c.590–651)
Irish monk and bishop who founded the monastery of Lindisfarne and evangelized Northumbria, revered as a saint in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions (Edan is a variant of his name).

If you like Edan…

Aidan— the standard anglicized form of the same Irish Gaelic fire name

Eden— phonetically similar; overlapping Hebrew variant context

Evan— Celtic-rooted two-syllable boys name of comparable feel

Liam— short Irish-rooted boys name with comparable modern popularity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Edan mean?

Edan means fire or little fire, from Irish Gaelic aodh (fire). It is a variant spelling of Aidan.

How do you pronounce Edan?

It is said EE-dan, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Edan a boy or girl name?

Edan is primarily used as a boy's name, as a variant of Aidan.

How popular is Edan?

Edan is uncommon compared to Aidan/Aiden but is found on U.S. birth records as a rare variant. Aidan remains far more popular.