Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Aden
BoyIrish, Arabic· “little fire”
- Meaning
- little fire
- Origin
- Irish, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- AY-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,008
- US babies 2025
- 224
- Best rank
- #244 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Aden
Aden is an Irish and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “little fire”.
Aden is usually a variant of Aidan, from the Irish Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, meaning fire, so the name is read as little fire. Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne carried the Irish name to northern England. Aden is also the name of a port city in Yemen, which gives the spelling a separate Arabic association. In the United States the Aden spelling rose along with Aidan, Ayden and Aiden, all part of the same rhyming family. Aden is short, simple and modern, and its spelling is slightly less common than Aiden while keeping the same sound.
Other spellings with the same sound: Adan.
Popularity over time
Aden 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 28 different years. Its best national rank was #244 in 2006, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,408 babies. In 2025, 224 babies were named Aden, and it ranked #1,008 nationally. That is 74% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,460 in 1920, #3,022 in 1950, #2,112 in 1980, #873 in 2000, #288 in 2010, and #1,008 in 2025. Of the 21,854 US boys named Aden since records began, 44% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 8,809 babies. Since 2010, 10,644 more have been named Aden.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Fabian, Emanuel, Angelo, Rodrigo, and Pablo.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aden ranked highest in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #570 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #577 | 16 |
| Ohio | #650 | 14 |
| Massachusetts | #692 | 6 |
| Michigan | #716 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Aden over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Aden is usually pronounced AY-duhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Adan.
Middle names for Aden
A few middle names that flow with Aden: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aden
Similar names
Braden Boy
BRAY-den
“descendant of Bradán; salmon” · Irish
#1,152
Nolen Boy
NOH-luhn
“variant of Nolan, from an Irish surname” · Irish
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Calen Boy
KAY-luhn
“uncertain, possibly variant of Caelan” · American (modern coinage)
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Ameen Boy
ah-MEEN
“trustworthy, faithful” · Arabic
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Mazen Boy
MAH-zen
“rain clouds” · Arabic
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Aiden Boy
AY-duhn
“little fire” · Irish
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Brayden Boy
BRAY-duhn
“modern form of Braden; salmon” · Irish
#229
Ayden Boy
AY-dihn
“little fire” · American (modern coinage)
#257
Kayden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern coinage related to Caden” · American (modern coinage)
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Caden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern name; possibly from an Irish surname” · American (modern coinage)
#201
Kaden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern name; possibly from an Irish surname” · American (modern coinage)
#328
Kaiden Boy
KAY-duhn
“modern form of Caden” · American (modern coinage)
#237
Lists that include Aden
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aden mean?
Aden is an Irish and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “little fire”.
What is the origin of the name Aden?
Aden has Irish and Arabic roots. Aden is usually a variant of Aidan, from the Irish Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, meaning fire, so the name is read as little fire.
Is Aden a popular name?
Not especially. Aden ranked #1,008 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Aden a boy or girl name?
Aden is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Aden over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Aden?
Aden is usually pronounced AY-duhn. 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