| Liam | Aiden | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Resolute protector | Little fire |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | LEE-am | AY-den |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1947 | 1970 |
| Peak year | 2024 (22,252) | 2009 (16,030) |
| In 2025 | 20,818 | 5,046 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Liam | Aiden |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 124,842 | 42,793 |
| 2010s | 174,017 | 129,675 |
| 2000s | 44,940 | 83,554 |
| 1990s | 11,904 | 1,642 |
| 1980s | 1,527 | 76 |
| 1970s | 784 | 25 |
| 1960s | 400 | 0 |
| 1950s | 117 | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 | 0 |
Liam is an Irish short form of William, itself from the Germanic Wilhelm — wil (will, desire) plus helm (helmet, protection) — giving the sense “resolute protector” or “strong-willed guardian.”
Aiden (Aidan) is from the Irish Aodhán, a diminutive of Aodh, the name of a Celtic sun and fire god — hence the sense “little fire.”
Liam is more popular than Aiden today: about 20,818 US babies were given the name Liam in 2025, compared with 5,046 named Aiden.
Liam means Resolute protector (Irish origin), while Aiden means Little fire (Irish origin).
In US records, Liam first appears in 1947 and Aiden in 1970, so Liam has the longer recorded history.