| Aaron | Ethan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Exalted; of uncertain origin | Strong, enduring |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AIR-un | EE-thun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1882 |
| Peak year | 1989 (15,308) | 2004 (22,210) |
| In 2025 | 4,041 | 7,852 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Aaron | Ethan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27,346 | 50,594 |
| 2010s | 70,488 | 149,111 |
| 2000s | 86,992 | 201,835 |
| 1990s | 128,377 | 66,930 |
| 1980s | 138,357 | 10,490 |
| 1970s | 101,487 | 5,301 |
| 1960s | 26,070 | 1,601 |
| 1950s | 11,141 | 553 |
| 1940s | 5,940 | 254 |
| 1930s | 4,727 | 225 |
| 1920s | 6,177 | 233 |
| 1910s | 4,570 | 184 |
| 1900s | 1,050 | 17 |
| 1890s | 830 | 31 |
| 1880s | 910 | 30 |
Aaron is a Hebrew name of debated meaning, often given as “exalted, high” or “mountain of strength.” In the Bible he is the elder brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel.
Ethan comes from the Hebrew for “firm, enduring, strong.” In the Bible, Ethan the Ezrahite was noted for his wisdom.
Ethan is more popular than Aaron today: about 7,852 US babies were given the name Ethan in 2025, compared with 4,041 named Aaron.
Aaron means Exalted; of uncertain origin (Hebrew origin), while Ethan means Strong, enduring (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Aaron first appears in 1880 and Ethan in 1882, so Aaron has the longer recorded history.