is Hayden too popular? Vera too old fashioned?

jmetzler05

I've been thinking of these names and SO excited to be prego again and actually pick one!  We don't know the gender yet, but if it's a boy my hubby and I both like Hayden Joel, but recently I've been hearing of LOTS of Haydens (with many spellings).  Do you know way too many?  I like unique names, so I would be disappointed if he gets to kindergarten and there ar 5 in his class.  I like this spelling because Yellowstone National Park is where my hubby and I fell in love, and Hayden Valley is there.

 And Vera is a form of my grandmother's name (Verna) who passed away around the time this pregnancy started. Is even Vera too old fashioned for a first name? We're thinking Vera Kathryn and I would probably call her "Vera Kate" sometimes.  Another option would be Adeline Vera, but we now know several girls with a form of Adeline...I just really like that name and Addi as a nickname.

I'd love your feedback and suggestions!  Thanks  

benmel31

I think Vera Kathryn (Vera Kate) is very cute.  I don't think it is old fashioned.

I like your reason for liking the name Hayden.  I just don't like that it is a name popular for both boys and girls.  I don't think it is super popular like some other names.  If you like it and it is meaningful to you, I would still use it.  

By the way, I have only seen the name spelled "Hayden." 

Pearl16

I don't know that Hayden itself is super popular yet, but Hayden combined with Aiden, Brayden, Caden, Jayden, etc. are out of control right now. Even though you sound like you have a perfectly legitimate reason to use the name, I would still probably roll my eyes at yet another -ayden name. I'm just sick of them. Plus, I've been hearing Hayden as a girls name far more than a boys name these days, FYI.

On the other hand, I LOVE Vera! It was on my list for girls as well. Vera Kathryn or Vera Kate is perfect!

jmetzler05

Pearl16:

I don't know that Hayden itself is super popular yet, but Hayden combined with Aiden, Brayden, Caden, Jayden, etc. are out of control right now. Even though you sound like you have a perfectly legitimate reason to use the name, I would still probably roll my eyes at yet another -ayden name. I'm just sick of them. Plus, I've been hearing Hayden as a girls name far more than a boys name these days, FYI.

On the other hand, I LOVE Vera! It was on my list for girls as well. Vera Kathryn or Vera Kate is perfect!

Ugh...I feel the same about the -aden names.  I'm sort of in denial about it and was hoping Hayden was somehow different enough.  As I'm typing I realize this makes no sense and I need to come to terms with finding a different name.  Makes me sad because I'm so sentimental about that place

MommaG123

I think Hayden is more trendy.

I love love love Vera.  I keep trying to get MH to like it but he just won't.  I don't think it's too old fashioned at all. 

MrsTBird

I love Vera! I don't think it's old-fashioned at all. I'm actually trying to talk DH into naming our future daughter Vera! Vera Kathryn is beautiful!

I would say Hayden is kind of popular, but not in the same way as Aiden or Jayden. I only know one Hayden, who is a boy, and I know many Aidens and Jaydens. Then again, it might just not be popular in my area. It seems that it has a lot of meaning to you and your H so I say go for it! If the popularity of it is still an issue for you, you could always use Hayden as a mn. 

mlf625

Hayden (and all the other -aydens) makes me want to vomit when I hear it.  That's how popular it is.  If you like unique names and would be disappointed to have him share his name with others, avoid an -ayden name at all costs.  Plus, the two latest Haydens I know of are girls.  Ick.

Vera is beautiful.  Vera Kate even more so.   

MrsLele

I LOVE Vera, it's on our short list. I'm not a fan of Hayden.

led2009

I don't know any Hayden's boy or girl under 18, so to me it's not that popular. I actually love the name. It does kind of remind me of the -ayden trend, but it's a legit name and it has meaning to you. I wouldn't throw it out yet. As pp mentioned, you could at least use it for a middle name. Vera Kate is adorable.

magsugar13

Vera is so nice

Hayden so awful

rp-chicago-mom

The one thing I can say about Hayden is at least it's a real name. Jayden is made up and many of the other spinoffs are too.

strawberrytree

I don't hate Hayden and feel like it is more of a victim of the unfortunate -Aden trend. It has a legitimate established history that predates the Aiden trend, unlike Jayden, Raiden etc. That said, little Haydens will get lumped in with all the other -Aden names so it is not at all unique. I actually kind of like Hayden (and like Aidan too), but ONLY on a boy. Awful on a girl. Hayden Joel or Joel Hayden are both nice.

Aligator28

I dislike Hayden, too popular, plus all of the other -ayden names.

I like Vera Kate a lot! Super cute. 

jelina

Hayden is NMS, popular for girls AND boys and part of the -ayden mess. I like Joel a lot though. What about Joel Hayden (since Hayden has signficance to you)?

 

I LOVE the name Vera. I tried but DH wouldn't go for it. Vera Kate is so lovely!

jmetzler05

So my fears about Hayden are confirmed...guess I'll just keep hoping for a girl

mrs.forrister

LOVE Vera Kate!!  Vera is my grandmother's name and I had that on my list for a girl's name.  Catherine is my name so obviously I love the combo Vera Kate/Kathryn