The name Paden is believed to have originated from the Gaelic language, which was historically spoken in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "paidean," which means "little Patrick."

Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He is the primary patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated annually on March 17th, known as St. Patrick's Day. The name Paden was likely a diminutive form of Patrick used as a given name in its own right.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Paden can be traced back to medieval Scotland and Ireland. It was particularly common in the Scottish Highlands and the northern regions of Ireland. The name was often anglicized to "Paton" or "Patton" in some areas.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Paden was Paden of Inchaffray, a Scottish monk who lived in the 12th century and served as the Prior of Inchaffray Abbey in Perthshire, Scotland. Another notable bearer of the name was Paden Fitz Walter, an Irish clergyman who served as the Archbishop of Tuam in the late 12th century.

In the 16th century, a Scottish family named Paden gained prominence in Ayrshire. Sir Walter Paden, born in 1520, was a prominent landowner and military commander who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

Later, in the 17th century, Paden Dougherty, born in 1647, was an Irish Presbyterian minister known for his fiery sermons and his opposition to the anti-Presbyterian policies of the Church of England in Ireland.

Another historical figure with the name Paden was Paden Fairfax, an English poet and playwright born in 1788. He was known for his satirical works and his criticism of the social and political establishment of his time.