How can a name that rhymes with Aiden still be unique?

Question

I was looking at the top 1000 baby names on SSA.org, and was amazed by the sheer amount of -aiden names:

Aiden, Aidan, Ayden, Aden, Aidyn, Aydin - 26,745 boys born, making it number one.

Jaden, Jayden, Jaiden, Jaydin, Jadon, Jaeden, Jaydon -17,990 boys born, making it 12th in popularity.

Jayden, Jadyn, Jaden, Jaidyn, Jaiden - 5,033 girls born, making it 53rd.

Caden, Kaden, Kaiden, Kayden, Cayden, Kaeden, Kadin, Caiden - 11,646 boys born

457 female Kayden's, 17th for boys, 624th for girls.

Hayden, Haiden, Haden -6,843 boys born, making it 63rd.

Hayden -754 girls, making it 416th.

Zayden, 871st for boys.

So, if you add up all of these, it makes anything rhyming with Aiden more than number one 63,448 boys and 6,244 girls. There were only 24,418 boys named Jacob, and 21,118 girls named Emily. It's not that they're bad names (well, Zayden might be), but why do people still call them 'unique'? They're literally the most common name out there now.

Thank you, Sweetheart S! Brayden, Braden, Braeden, Braydon, Braiden, Bradyn, and Braedon: 11646 boys born, making it 29th in popularity.

I'm still working on the -lon, -len, -lyn names. There's just too many to comprehend!

Answer 1

I agree with your basic point, BUT, out of all those statistics you've presented, I know one Aiden, personally, and have not met another. I have never met a Jayen, Caden, Hayden or Zaden...........so despite their "popularity", the world is not overflowing with them. I have 9 brothers, 47 neices and nephews, 13 great neices and nephews, and 2 grandchilden so the circle of children I am exposed to is quite large. But you are right, they are not that unique, but popularity is a matter of perception too, given the vast hugeness of the general population.

Answer 2

Thank you! LOL

Someone asked about Zayden recently, and I commented along these very lines ... much to their chagrin, of course. I was promptly given a "speaking to" about how the name MUST be creative and unusual, because they only know of one other with that same EXACT name and always receive comments on how "unique" it is. LOL

Honestly, what else are people supposed to say when confronted with not just "yet another rhyming -aden," but a made-up one to boot? OF COURSE if you meet a little child named Dreydin, Fayedann, Maidyn, Quaiden, Shaydan, Treydon, Vaden or Zayden you're going to take the high road and simply call it "unusual!" After all, what polite person would honestly say "Oh, you mean like Aidan, Braden, Caden, Hayden, Jadon, etc. ... only completely created and without the redeeming value of an actual, rich history apart from this whole rhyming names trend? How, um ... typical." ;)

You're completely correct. ALL the rhyming "Aidans" are anything but unusual. And that's not to say they're inherently bad names. The properly-spelled selections with actual history and merit are perfectly respectable, of course. But still quite common and predictable at the moment. And no matter how badly you misspell them or what "new" variation you attempt, it will be just as run-of-the-mill. People might question the parents' literacy, but beyond that, they certainly won't find it an intriguing, creative or at all unexpected choice. LOL Anyone who thinks that is just fooling themselves. As they say, ignorance is bliss ... I suppose! ;)

Answer 3

I honestly have no idea why these are still considered unique, they shouldn't be since they are really not at all. At this point I really can't understand why people continue to name their children these names, besides them not being that great in the first place every kid in the age range of their child will have the same name, what would make you want to do that to your kid?

Answer 4

i know huh... im sick of the "aidan" names! it's not a bad name but not UNIQUE what soever! Imagine in school? there will be about 9 Jaidens, 8 Aidens, 5 Kaidens, and 3 Haydens. lol.

Answer 5

The aiden- names were good before the big trend ruined them..not many have thought of Rayden (I kinda like it)
But the ppl on here who suggest it for 'unique' names are real dumb.
When ever I here Riley I suggest 'Regan'
When I hear Jaden I suggest 'Jared'
No one takes my advice......
Theres gonna be atleast 2+ Rileys & Jaden/Aiden/Kaydens in each class!
.

Answer 6

Zayden is cool and not common
I do put Zayden down as a unique name
I also suggest it instead of Aiden

I think Zayden is cool, and different
Unlike Jayden, Hayden, Kayden,, etc

Answer 7

I guess they are considered to be unique because they aren't the common everyday John or Davids anymore....

Answer 8

Thanks for adding it up for me... I am fricking sick of the aiden names....
ps
your forgot Brayden and the Ailins-- Caelen, Bralen etc... less common but too similar for me!

Answer 9

a friend of mine named her little guy Waylan

Answer 10

it can't youre wasting your time!