Alphabet: A is for Boys
06Feb08
Yup, it’s time for another Alphabet post.
This time its the boys’ turn. I considered leapfrogging ahead to G or S or another letter that seemed easier, but I’ve chosen to exercise uncharacteristic discipline, and start at the beginning.
So here goes … A names to consider for your new little bundle of blue:
If you’re not familiar with Alphabet posts, we’ll start with a few neglected names that you might wish to consider, and then point out one or two that are best avoided.
- Angus – He’s a saint (8th century) and a god (of love, youth and poetry in Irish mythology), a king (of the Picts) and a rock star (AC/DC), too. While the name might strike some as a bit dated – it has not appeared in the Top 1000 in the US since 1948 – the name is back in Great Britain. And let’s not forget the great nickname option Gus. If Henry sounds fresh, can Angus be that far behind?
- Abraham – As religious leaders go, Abraham is a triple threat – he’s significant in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The result is a name that has been in steady use throughout history, and while it has never been popular, is universally familiar. Abraham came in at #183 in 2006, and is gaining in use. The nickname Bram (as in Stoker) sounds especially current.
- Anton - With two-syllable names for boys being all the rage (think Brandon, Aiden, Jackson, Declan), this variant of Anthony deserves a second look. While Anthony is solidly Top 10, Anton was a nicely obscure #725 in 2006. Anton Chekov lends the name some literary cred; however, the most famous Anton may well be Anton LaVey – the founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan. It’s an unfortunate association for such an appealing moniker.
- Archer – Archer is a familiar surname that works as a given name, too. It’s also among the rare exceptions to the comic book rule – despite at least one comic book character is known as Archer, we at ApMtn still find it a valid choice. Archer has not appeared in the Top 1000 in recent years.
- Atticus – It’s an ancient name, used by the Greeks and Romans and related to the city of Athens. Modern parents will think first of Atticus Finch, the hero of To Kill a Mockingbird. If you skipped that day in high school, let me assure you that Atticus Finch is noble to the core, and represents values that most would be proud to see their children embrace. Perhaps that’s why entered the Top 1000 in 2004, and now stands at #767.
- Axel – It might be thought of as an alternative to Alexander; in fact, Axel is the Scandinavian version of Absalom. Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen gave his name to the sport’s most demanding jump back in the 1880s. Today, the most famous Axel is probably former Guns N’Roses frontman Axl Rose. The name is a little bit Motor City, a smidge rock’n'roll, vaguely European. It’s a bold choice, but not an outlandish one – in fact, Axel is fast gaining in use, and ranked #295 in 2006.
- Auden – WH Auden was perhaps one of the 20th century’s most renowned poets. As a given name, Auden hasn’t cracked the Top 1000 in the US, but I mention it here because of starbabies Auden Wyle (son of Noah Wyle, from ER) and supermodel Amber Valletta’s son, Auden McCaw. It’s that rarest of gems – a name that is strongly artistic and literary, but clearly masculine.
So there you have it – seven A names to consider. And the ones to avoid?
Aiden, Aidan, Aidyn, Aden, Aaden, Aaeden
We rather hate to put Aiden on this list.
Truth told, it’s a great name. But it’s also at the top of the heap in terms of popularity. In 2006, Aiden was #30, and Aidan #44 for newborn babies in the US. That doesn’t sound popular enough to be fatal, you might protest, but combine those two tallies, and the name easily jumps into the Top Five.
Factor in a few more variant spellings, and you’ve got a very common name.
But Aiden and company are really banished because of the hordes of sound-alikes: Jayden, Caiden, Braeden, Haden and their infinite spellings.
It’s impossible to get a handle on exactly how many little boys have a name that rhymes with “Aiden” these days. So all we can recommend from our perch on ApMtn is that parents choose another of the many fabulous Celtic names for their new son. Or, hey, Atticus is nice.
One down … 25 more letters to go!
Filed under: Alphabet, Names for Boys | 4 Comments
Tags: Angus, Archer, Abraham, Bram, Anton, Atticus, Axel, Auden, Aiden, Aidan, Aidyn, Aden, Aaden, Aaeden
Blogroll
- Baby Name Brainstorm
- Chanara\’s Blog
- Legit Baby Names
- Lola\’s Onomastic Fits
- Moniker Madness!
- Much Ado About Naming
- Nameberry
- Naming across the pond
- Onomastics Shamastics
- Onomastitrix
- Paige\’s Page O\’ Names!
- The #7 Question
- Voornamelijk (Emma's site – in Dutch!)
- Xanthe Linnea: a name blog
- You Can’t Call It It
- Ysabeau\’s Naming Persuits
Hey Verity,
I wanted to give you more detailed numbers on the Aidan craze. I counted them up about a month ago.
Aiden, Aidan, Ayden, Aden, Aidyn, Aydin, Aaden- 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.
Brayden, Braden, Braeden, Braydon, Braiden, Bradyn, and Braedon: 11646 boys born, making it 29th in popularity.
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, 221 babies, 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. That’s 3.7126% of boys born last year!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AspZ5l22kGrD6zWgbGEXoaHsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071217170417AAjo4GX
Nice arithmetic, coolteamblt! And boy howdy, does that make it #1. The non-amalgamated Most Popular Boy Name for 2006 – Jacob – was only bestowed on 1.1327% of boys born that year. Thanks for the info!
I know 12 adens!