Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Aida
GirlItalian, Arabic· “uncertain; possibly returning, visitor”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly returning, visitor (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Italian, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- eye-EE-duh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,414
- US babies 2025
- 154
- Best rank
- #668 (1954)
- Peak year
- 2005
Meaning and origin of Aida
Aida is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly returning, visitor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Arabic roots.
Aida has more than one possible source, so its meaning is uncertain. It is often linked to the Arabic name A'ida, meaning "returning" or "visitor," and it has also been connected to other languages. The name gained international fame through Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida, first staged in Cairo, which tells the story of an Ethiopian princess held captive in Egypt. Since then, Aida has been used in many countries, including Spain, Italy and parts of the Arab world. Pronounced eye-EE-duh, it has a rich, dramatic quality and a short, elegant shape. Aida suits parents who appreciate operatic and cross-cultural names.
Popularity over time
Aida first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 63 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #668 in 1954, and the most babies received it in 2005, when 243 were named Aida. In 2025, 154 babies were named Aida, and it ranked #1,414 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,119 in 1920, #855 in 1950, #1,053 in 1980, #1,817 in 2000, #1,468 in 2010, and #1,414 in 2025. Of the 13,777 US girls named Aida since records began, 13% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,679 babies. Since 2010, 2,775 more have been named Aida.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Keila, Sahara, Estefany, Mayte, and Emalee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aida ranked highest in Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | #621 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #682 | 7 |
| Washington | #811 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | #813 | 11 |
| Minnesota | #840 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Aida is usually pronounced eye-EE-duh, with three syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Aida
A few middle names that flow with Aida: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aida
Similar names
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ih-MEL-duh
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HOO-duh
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Amanda Girl
uh-MAN-duh
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Miranda Girl
mur-AN-duh
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gwah-duh-LOO-pay
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Matilda Girl
muh-TIL-duh
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ree-AH-nuh
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krihs-TEE-nuh
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kuh-REE-nuh
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Lists that include Aida
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aida mean?
Aida is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly returning, visitor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Arabic roots.
What is the origin of the name Aida?
Aida has Italian and Arabic roots. Aida has more than one possible source, so its meaning is uncertain.
Is Aida a popular name?
Not especially. Aida ranked #1,414 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Aida a boy or girl name?
Aida is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Aida?
Aida is usually pronounced eye-EE-duh. 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