Ayden is a modern, unisex given name of Irish origin. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "Aodh", which means "fire" or "fiery". In Irish mythology, Aodh was the god of fire and light.
The name Ayden has gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is often used for boys, but it can also be given to girls. Some famous people with this name include American actor Ayden Taylor and Australian actress Ayden Page.
Ayden is often spelled in various ways, including Aiden, Hayden, Aidyn, and Aydin. These variations are primarily due to regional differences and personal preferences.
In terms of popularity, according to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Ayden has been among the top 100 names for boys since 2005. In 2020, it ranked as the 73rd most popular name for boys. However, its usage is not limited to boys only; it is also used as a girl's name, although less frequently.
Overall, Ayden is a contemporary given name of Irish origin that signifies fire or fiery nature. Its popularity has grown in recent years, and it is often used for both boys and girls. Despite some variations in spelling, the core meaning and origin remain consistent across all versions of the name.
The name Ayden has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past three decades in the United States. Between 1990 and 2023, there have been a total of 86,090 babies named Ayden born in the U.S., according to the Social Security Administration's data on baby names.
In the early 1990s, Ayden was a rare name with only a handful of births each year. In 1990 and 1991, there were just five and seven births respectively. However, by 1995, the number of babies named Ayden had increased to 33 births that year.
The late 1990s marked a turning point for the name Ayden's popularity. In 1998, there were 120 births, and in 1999, this number jumped to 149 births. This upward trend continued into the new millennium with 268 births in 2000.
The year 2002 was a significant milestone for Ayden's popularity, as it became one of the top 1000 names for boys that year with 863 births. This marked the beginning of Ayden's consistent appearance in the Social Security Administration's annual list of most popular baby names.
The height of Ayden's popularity came between 2005 and 2012, during which time it was among the top 250 names for boys each year. The name reached its peak in popularity in 2012 with 6,233 births that year.
However, since then, Ayden's popularity has begun to decline slightly. In 2023, there were only 1,904 babies named Ayden born in the U.S., indicating a decrease from its peak popularity just over a decade ago.
Despite this recent decrease, Ayden remains a popular name in the United States and continues to be chosen by parents for their newborn sons. The name's consistent presence among the most popular boy names over the past two decades demonstrates its enduring appeal.