Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Aaron
BoyHebrew, Egyptian· “uncertain; possibly exalted”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly exalted (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew, Egyptian
- Pronunciation
- EH-ruhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #80
- US babies 2025
- 4,041
- Best rank
- #28 (1994)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Aaron
Aaron is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly exalted”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Egyptian roots.
Aaron is the elder brother of Moses in the Hebrew Bible and the first high priest of the Israelites. The origin of his name is uncertain. It may come from Egyptian, and it is sometimes explained through Hebrew as "high mountain" or "exalted", but none of these interpretations is settled. The name has been used for centuries among Jewish families and entered wider Christian use after the Protestant Reformation. Aaron Burr, the American vice president who fought a famous duel with Alexander Hamilton, is a well-known historical bearer. Today Aaron feels friendly and familiar. Aron and Arron are variant spellings, and Harun is the Arabic form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Aron, Ehren, Aran.
Popularity over time
Aaron has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #28 in 1994, and the most babies received it in 1989, when 15,308 were named Aaron. In 2025, 4,041 babies were named Aaron, and it ranked #80 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #199 in 1920, #230 in 1950, #34 in 1980, #41 in 2000, #55 in 2010, and #80 in 2025. Of the 614,462 US boys named Aaron since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 128,377 babies. Since 2010, 97,834 more have been named Aaron.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Benjamin, Jordan, Sean, Travis, and Derek.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aaron ranked highest in Florida, New Jersey, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #38 | 423 |
| New Jersey | #48 | 178 |
| California | #56 | 616 |
| Maryland | #58 | 92 |
| New York | #59 | 282 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Aaron is usually pronounced EH-ruhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Aron, Ehren, and Aran.
Middle names for Aaron
A few middle names that flow with Aaron: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aaron
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Lists that include Aaron
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aaron mean?
Aaron is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly exalted”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and Egyptian roots.
What is the origin of the name Aaron?
Aaron has Hebrew and Egyptian roots. Aaron is the elder brother of Moses in the Hebrew Bible and the first high priest of the Israelites.
Is Aaron a popular name?
Yes. Aaron ranked #80 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Aaron a boy or girl name?
Aaron is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Aaron?
Aaron is usually pronounced EH-ruhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings