...and most hated baby boy names

lovebug215

1. Jayden (23). The overwhelming theme for boys' names was a backlash against the rhyming -ayden family. Many felt there were just too many of these names, and "it's getting really old." Others said the names sounded too childish or feminine. The names were often mentioned as a group, but Jayden was frequently singled out.

2. Brayden (16).

3 (tie). Aiden (15).

4 (tie). Kaden (15). See Jayden above.

5. Hunter (9). Objections included "should only be a last name" and "too violent."

6. Hayden (8). Part of the -ayden family but mentioned much less often than the others. It seems to be considered a little more mature and established-sounding than the rest of the clan.

7 (tie). Bentley (7). A lot of contempt was shown in mentions of this name, as people considered the luxury-car association "trashy."

7 (tie). Tristan (7). Described as "fakey" and "unlikeable."

9. Michael (6). The whipping boy for people who scorned "common" names. Names like Matthew, Sarah and Emily also came up several times. (Notably, they were the most likely names to be defended by others in the conversation.)

10. Jackson (5). No consistency to the reasons. Some grouped it with Peyton as "way too trendy," others with Jack as "old-fashioned and worn out." This was the one name where I didn't collapse spellings, since the several people who mentioned Jaxon objected to it solely on basis of spelling.



P.S. If Your Favorite Name is Listed Above...

Sorry to freak you out! Don't go tearing up your name list yet.

LadyXaverian

Of the -ayden names, K/Ca(y/i)den (you like that?) is the one that irks me the most. I used to like Jayden, but it's been overdone. I actually still like Aiden and Hayden. Brayden is ok, too. Unfortunately, the -ayden names have taken on a life of their own, and so they all get lumped in together.

Bentley is terrible, IMO.

All of the others I either like or don't feel strongly about either way. 

JaysonandKristin

Michael keeps getting put on these lists...  WHY?  

I don't particularly care for it, but it's a perfectly masculine name.  And, it CERTAINLY doesn't deserve to be thrown in the garbage with the rest of the names on this list. 

capulet

I like Aidan (spelled this way, not the trendy -en spelling).  I have friends with a sweet redheaded boy named Aidan and a very Celtic last name.  It makes me sad that Aiden/Brayden/Kaden etc. have become so popular that people won't appreciate how perfect his name is.

chibride4

As a mom of a Jackson, it sux (mispelled on purpose) that the name gets trashed for being "too trendy" when it's been around for more than a century. Jackson was ranked #247 in 1880 and has remained a fixture on SSA's top 1000 (usually the top 500) ever since. It's definitely popular nowadays, but mainly b/c it's a nice name and many people -- myself included -- are honoring loved ones named Jack. And I happen to think that Jack is one of the better "old man" names. Personally, despite what this list says, I blame it on awful spelling variations like Jaxon and Jaxson.

plunderb

chibride4:

As a mom of a Jackson, it sux (mispelled on purpose) that the name gets trashed for being "too trendy" when it's been around for more than a century. Jackson was ranked #247 in 1880 and has remained a fixture on SSA's top 1000 (usually the top 500) ever since. It's definitely popular nowadays, but mainly b/c it's a nice name and many people -- myself included -- are honoring loved ones named Jack. And I happen to think that Jack is one of the better of the "old man" names. Personally, despite what this lists says, I blame it on awful spelling variations like Jaxon and Jaxson.

I expect this is the heart of the matter. I am a Caitlin and it's true that it was no big deal until the Katelyn/Caytlynne/Qhaytelin brigade marched into town. The horrid spellings plus the trendiness of slapping -lyn onto the end of any random syllable has not done Caitlin any favors. Jackson is quite similar with the variant spellings and the trendy -son ending.

lovebug215

JaysonandKristin:

Michael keeps getting put on these lists...  WHY?  

I don't particularly care for it, but it's a perfectly masculine name.  And, it CERTAINLY doesn't deserve to be thrown in the garbage with the rest of the names on this list. 

 

I completely agree. I love the name Michael (my brothers name) and I dont get why people would hate it.

 

I also just wanted to state that I just posted a list I found, I don't necessarily agree with what it says. Just found it interesting 

beachy6

My 9 year old is an Ayden. So, obviously, I love the name! However, I never even heard it before we named DS that name. Now, they're everywhere. His best friend's name is Jackson, which is also on the list and I think it's a perfectly fine name, too! Go figure! As a teacher, I've heard much worse names than what is on this list and the girl list!

austenreader85

JaysonandKristin:

Michael keeps getting put on these lists...  WHY?  

I don't particularly care for it, but it's a perfectly masculine name.  And, it CERTAINLY doesn't deserve to be thrown in the garbage with the rest of the names on this list. 

Totally agree with this!  I don't think Tristan is fake either.  And I love Jackson, stupid Jaxon ruined it all.

MrsTBird

JaysonandKristin:

Michael keeps getting put on these lists...  WHY?  

I don't particularly care for it, but it's a perfectly masculine name.  And, it CERTAINLY doesn't deserve to be thrown in the garbage with the rest of the names on this list. 

ITA! Michael is a good, solid name that does not belong on this list. The only reason that it is 'overused' is because it's such a good name.

AimeeL85

I would love the name Bentley if it wasn't for the car and Teen Mom connection.

amyegunnip

chibride4:

As a mom of a Jackson, it sux (mispelled on purpose) that the name gets trashed for being "too trendy" when it's been around for more than a century. Jackson was ranked #247 in 1880 and has remained a fixture on SSA's top 1000 (usually the top 500) ever since. It's definitely popular nowadays, but mainly b/c it's a nice name and many people -- myself included -- are honoring loved ones named Jack. And I happen to think that Jack is one of the better "old man" names. Personally, despite what this list says, I blame it on awful spelling variations like Jaxon and Jaxson.

Yes! Thank you

IrishEyes0530

I have a Braeden... I didn't realize how popular the -aden names were before hand. Sucks, but I wouldn't change his name, it fits him.

RubyLou11

the -ayden names are bad.  Michael is a classic, although used as a filler name I think.  And Jackson is a great name to me, but overused and ruined by the Jaxon/Jaxson spellings.  Why people think this is ok is beyond me.

ah625

It makes me sad that Hayden gets lumped in with those other -aden/-ayden names. It was popular and used wayyyyyyy before any of those atrocities.

mommytoconnor

I agree with the names ending "den".  I also don't care for Levi, Eli, Judas-no real reason.  I am really not fond of names like Linus, Arthur, Marvin,-just seem so old and dated.  Also am getting real sick of the Bentley, Jackson names as well, waaaaay too overused.

briannaj731

ah625:

It makes me sad that Hayden gets lumped in with those other -aden/-ayden names. It was popular and used wayyyyyyy before any of those atrocities.

I agree! I loved the name Hayden almost 10 years ago when I was in high school I first heard it on the Gilmore girls because that was Rory's dads last name lol anyway I always wanted to name my son that so I did. little did I know just how popular those names would be!? It makes me sad I have to Try and justify why I named my son that and that he's going to grow up probably hating his name because there will be 5 different -ayden names in his class...

 

this decaf life

I don't hate Hunter or Michael. I wouldn't use either of them but I hate the other 8!