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