National Aiden Day is observed every January 23 in honor of everyone who bears the name Aiden. Aidan or Aiden is a modernized variant of the Irish male given name ‘Aodhán,’ the Scottish Gaelic was given name ‘Aodhàn,’ and the Welsh name ‘Aeddan.’ Following the nineteenth-century Irish Great Migration, phonetic variants, such as spelling with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘a,’ have grown more common. The name and its derivatives are now widespread in England, the U.S., Canada, and Australia, whereas they were once only found in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
History of National Aiden Day
‘Aiden’ is a male or female Gaelic name that means ‘small flames.’ It’s a modernized variant of the traditional Irish name Aodhán, which comes from the word ‘aodh,’ which means ‘fire.’ According to Irish mythology, ‘Aodh,’ the Celtic deity of sun and fire, falls in love with ‘Ila,’ the soil goddess.
Aiden is a vivacious name that conjures up images of energy and warmth, making it an excellent choice for your little firecracker. The word ‘Aed’ derives from the word ‘Aodh.’ These root words give rise to the diminutive forms Aedan and Aodhan. Aidan is an anglicized variant of Aodhan, while Aiden is an Americanized variation.
Aodhan was the name of several ancient Irish high kings and several early Irish saints. One of the most famous is St. Aidan Naomh Aodhán of Iona in Scotland, who established a monastery in Northumbria in the seventh century and brought Christianity to the heathen Saxons in England. Legend has it that Saint Aidan was a strong, kind man who freed bondsmen and assisted the needy. Today, many people have the name Aiden. However, it wasn’t widespread in the U.S. until the early 2000s. Before 1995, Aiden was not among the top 1,000 baby boy names in the U.S.
National Aiden Day timeline
St. Aidan, Naomh Aodhán of Iona in Scotland, establishes a monastery in Northumbria.
During this year, the U.S. has the most Aiden families.
Aiden joins the top 1000 baby boy names in the U.S.
Aiden becomes a common name for kids in the U.S.
National Aiden Day FAQs
Who was Aiden in the Bible?
Adin was a biblical exile from Babylon who returned to Israel.
What is a nickname for Aiden?
Nicknames for the name Aiden include Addie, Ahd, and Denny.
What does Aiden mean in Islam?
Aiden’s name meaning is help, intelligent, and a fiery young man.
National Aiden Day Activities
Honor Saint Aidan
Paying honor to the saint or martyr after whom you or your special someone is named is one way to celebrate this name day. Attending a religious service if one is available on this day or reading a narrative about the saint is also something you can do today.
Prepare a special meal
Many people, especially parents, siblings, and grandparents, can prepare a special dinner to mark the occasion. Have fun together and let the individual being honored choose the menu for dinner.
Give to others
Many cultures commemorate name days by receiving presents from the individual being honored. It gives the impression of a generous and sympathetic saint who offers snacks and tiny gifts rather than the other way around, as at a birthday party.
5 Interesting Facts About The Name Aiden
It’s the top 100 baby names
In recent years Aiden became one of the top 100 baby boy names.
The popular T.V. character
In the well-known television series "Sex and the City," Aidan was the love interest of the main character.
It’s a popular female name
Aiden was number 3,310 of the most popular female name.
The name stats in 2020
Aiden was given to 8,534 baby boys and 46 baby girls in 2020.
The number of babies named Aiden
Since 1880, there have been 129,796 boys named Aiden in the U.S.
Why We Love National Aiden Day
It’s a cultural celebration
Name days are valued equally or even more than birthdays in many European societies. They provide religious people with a way to honor saints who bear their names.
It’s a day of double celebrations
Those who are fortunate enough to have both a name day and a birthday on the same day have two celebrations a year that are uniquely theirs. You get to celebrate your existence twice a year.
It connects people
It's a day devoted to fostering a sense of belonging and specialness in others. On their name day, everyone who has the same name is celebrated and brought together by that one commonality.
National Aiden Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 23 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 23 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 23 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 23 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 23 | Tuesday |
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