The name Aiden has its origins in the Gaelic language and Celtic culture, stemming from the Irish name Áedán or the Scottish Gaelic Àidhean. It is derived from the Celtic word "aed" or "aidh," meaning "fire" or "fiery one." The name was popular in ancient Ireland and Scotland during the medieval period.

Aiden traces its roots back to the 7th century, when it was borne by several prominent figures in Irish history, including the Irish saint Áedán of Ferns, who lived around 632 AD. Another notable bearer of the name was Áedán mac Gabráin, the King of Dál Riata, a medieval kingdom in modern-day Scotland and Ireland, who reigned in the late 6th and early 7th centuries.

In the 9th century, the name appears in the ancient Irish text the Annals of Ulster, where it is recorded as a personal name. It was also found in the Irish Mythological Cycle of stories, where it was the name of one of the legendary Irish warriors known as the Fianna.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Aiden enjoyed popularity among the Irish and Scottish noble classes. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Áedán mac Fergusa, the King of Dál Riata, who ruled in the late 6th century.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Aiden. These include:

1. Aidan of Lindisfarne (c. 590-651), an Irish monk and missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Northumbria, England.
2. Áedán mac Gabráin (c. 560-609), the King of Dál Riata, who fought against the Angles of Northumbria.
3. Aidan of Ferns (c. 550-626), an Irish saint and the founder of the monastery at Ferns, County Wexford, Ireland.
4. Aidan Cullen (1629-1669), an Irish Jesuit theologian and philosopher.
5. Aidan Higgins (1927-2015), an Irish novelist and short story writer.

The name Aiden experienced a resurgence in popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it became a trendy choice for baby names.