Aaron Overview
- Meaning: Aaron is a Hebrew name that means “exalted” or “strong,” but can also mean “teacher” or “mountain of strength.”
- Gender: Aaron is a male name. It has female variations such as Aaronovna as well.
- Origin: The origin of Aaron is uncertain, but it may have been a variant of Haran, the brother of Abraham in Genesis.
- Pronunciation: Aaron is pronounced as “ER-in” but can also be “AA-run.”
- Popularity: Aaron is popular in the United States. In the mid-90s, it was in the top 30 names in the US.
- Nicknames: Aarie, Aroncho, A-town, Erin, Ron, Ronnie
- Variations: Aarón, Aarão, Aron, Árón, Harun, Rona, Aaronovitch, Aaronovna.
- Namesakes: Aaron Paul, an American actor best known for his role in “Breaking Bad. “
The name Aaron has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Learn more about its meaning, origins, variations, and famous people named Aaron.
What Does the Name Aaron Mean?
Aaron is a name from the Hebrew language that means “exalted” or “strong.” It is typically given to boys and can also mean “teacher” or “mountain of strength.” In Hebrew, “Aaron” has been known to translate as “high mountain,” “enlightened,” “bearer of martyrs,” or even “warrior lion.”
It comes from the noun “Aaronite”, which is someone from the lineage of the biblical figure Aaron. The word “Aaronic” describes religious attributes like detail, tradition, and dogma (1).
What Is the Origin of the Name Aaron?
There is no definitive history as to the origins of the biblical name. It may be that it was a variant of “Haran.” Haran was the brother of Abraham in the Book of Genesis.
From the earliest days, Aaron was used predominantly by the Jewish community. Over time, it grew in use in Europe and would gain popularity only after 1900.
How Popular Is the Name Aaron?
The name Aaron is very popular in the United States. In the mid-90s, “Aaron” was frequently ranked in the top 30 in the US (2). It is equally as popular as the last name and is a Saint day on July 1 in France.
Though its popularity peaks in the US, it is all across the globe in different variations.
How Do I Pronounce Aaron?
Aaron is pronounced, “ER-in,” almost as if saying “air” for the first syllable. It can also be with a hard “A” as “AA-run.”
Is Aaron a Boy or Girl Name?
Aaron is most commonly a name for boys, though there are female iterations such as “Aaronovna.”
Variations of Aaron
There are endless regional variations. Some are recognizable, but none will likely be as widespread as Aaron itself. Some are recognizable, but none will likely be as widespread as Aaron itself. These variations include:
- Aarón (Spanish)
- Aarão (Portuguese)
- Aron (Hebrew)
- Árón (Irish)
- Harun (Arabic)
- Rona (Russian)
- Aaronovitch (Slavic)
- Aaronovna (feminine)
Nicknames for Aaron
For how many variations there are of Aaron, there are not many nicknames associated with it.
Some of those nicknames include:
- Aarie
- Aroncho
- A-town
- Erin
- Ron
- Ronnie
Similar Names to Aaron
There are also a handful of names similar to Aaron, many of which are biblical.
Some of those similar names include:
- Abraham
- Adam
- Caleb
- Daniel
- David
- Elias
- Ezra
- Isaac
- Isaiah
- Josh
- Jonathan
- Samuel
Middle Names for Aaron
Some of the most common first/middle name pairings for Aaron include:
- Caleb
- David
- Daniel
- Elias
- Elijah
- Jacob
- Jonathan
- Joseph
Sibling Names for Aaron
Similar to middle names, many names go great alongside Aaron.
For a brother:
- Charles
- Christopher
- Isaac
- Julian
- Levi
- Nathan
- Noah
- Samuel
- William
And for a sister:
- Isobel
- Isobella
- Lillian
- Lily
- Magnolia
- Rebecca
- Rose
Famous People Named Aaron
There are also many famous people named Aaron. The first that might come to mind these days is Aaron Paul, the actor known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the television series Breaking Bad.
Some other famous Aarons include:
- Aaron Copland: American composer, pedagogue, writer, and conductor.
- Aaron Eckhart: An American film actor.
- Aaron Goldsmith: American sportscaster.
- Aaron Williams: American ventriloquist.
- Elvis (Aaron) Presley: Legendary American pop, rock, and Gospel singer and actor.
Aaron in Popular Culture
Today, many Aarons are characters in pop culture as well.
You might recognize:
- Aaron Hotchner: Protagonists in television series “Criminal Minds.”
- Aaron the Moor: Character in William Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus.”
- Aaron: Character in “Beyblade.”
- Aaron: Character from “The Vampire Diaries.”
- Aron Trask: The main protagonist in the novel “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.
- Aaron: Character from “The Walking Dead.”
Aaron FAQs
There might be some other questions in your mind about the name Aaron. Let’s look at some.
Is Aaron a Good Name?
As a name with biblical ties that have stayed in popularity for so long, Aaron is a strong name. The Hebrew meaning of strength and height gives the name a vital, catchy spark. It has a traditional feel with a bite to it.
The name seems to balance grown and child-like well.
Why Does the Name Aaron Have Two A’s?
There were differences between the sounds available in Hebrew to Greek. So when the translation was made, Greeks had to double the “a” to reproduce the sound in a way that worked for their language. This was near 200 BCE, and their alphabets were also different at the time.
Is Ari Short for Aaron?
Ari is another name for boys. It can be Hebrew (meaning “lion”), Finnish, and Dutch. As a Dutch nickname, it is short for Adrianus, Arend, Arent, and Aaron.
