Find out how popular the first name Aaron has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Aaron by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Aaron is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Aaron being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,551 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Aaron.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Aaron in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Aaron

The name Aaron has its origins in the Hebrew language and is derived from the word "Harun" or "Aharon". It is believed to have been first used in ancient Israelite culture, dating back to around the 13th century BCE. The meaning of Aaron is often interpreted as "high mountain" or "exalted".

One of the earliest and most notable references to the name Aaron is found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is the name of the older brother of Moses. Aaron is portrayed as the first High Priest of the Israelites and a central figure in the Exodus narrative. This association with an important biblical figure likely contributed to the name's enduring popularity among Jewish and Christian communities.

The name Aaron also appears in various other ancient texts, including the Quran, where it is mentioned as the name of a prophet and the brother of Moses. This further reinforced its significance in the Islamic tradition.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Aaron dates back to the 2nd century BCE, found in the Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish religious text. Throughout history, the name has been borne by several notable individuals, including:

1. Aaron of Alexandria (c. 570 CE - c. 630 CE), a Christian philosopher and theologian who played a significant role in the development of early Christian thought.
2. Aaron ben Samuel (c. 1300 CE - c. 1370 CE), a Jewish astronomer and mathematician from Spain, known for his contributions to the field of astronomy.
3. Aaron Burr (1756 - 1836), an American politician and lawyer who served as the third Vice President of the United States under Thomas Jefferson.
4. Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990), an American composer and conductor, known for his distinctive style and contributions to American classical music.
5. Aaron Spelling (1923 - 2006), an American film and television producer, best known for creating popular TV series like "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Melrose Place".

The name Aaron has maintained its popularity across various cultures and time periods, thanks to its strong historical and religious significance. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and traditions from which it originated.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Aaron was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aaron, please contact us.

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