Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Name Poll

My husband asked me to poll ya'll about our name picks. Obviously we each have our favorite, but we're curious as to what others think. Without involving all the people who know us because we're considering keeping it a surprise. So here are the choices:

Alexander Jaiden
Jaiden Alexander
Jaiden Nathaniel
Julian Alexander
Julian Nathaniel

Please tell me what you like best.... and why. All of you who don't usually comment, please come out of the shadows for this one, we could really use your input! Thanks!

25 comments:

Furrow said...

Jaiden is a lovely name, but it's become incredibly popular in the last few years, though it is spelled many different ways. If he goes by Jaiden, he's likely to have confusion in class alongside the 5 or 6 others who respond to the name. I speak as one with an extremely common name from the 1970s. I always had to go by my first name plus last initial.

I really like Julian. I haven't heard that used much lately, though the ssa.gov site has it as #65 in popularity for 2006, and it has been climbing each year. I really, really like Nathaniel, but as far as combos go, I think Julian Alexander rolls off the tongue easier.

They're all nice names. You're brave asking for opinions. We've been so secretive because we didn't want to hear if anyone didn't like our name.

Chris said...

I prefer Julian Nathaniel first, then Julian Alexander and completely agree with furrow regarding Jaiden.

I don't think you can go wrong with anything on your list though!

PCOSMama said...

See, I knew everyone would veto Jaiden because of all the Britney copycats. I didn't even remember until the other day that her youngest was named that, with the much more popular spelling (obviously I now know why that spelling is so popular!). Darned Britney...I really like that name!

I like Julian a lot but I can easily see him being picked on for that name. The other kids are going to call him Julie. Julian seems great for a baby but not so great for an adult man.

Looking back at my notes, Jayden is ranked 50 and Julian is 65, so I think if Jaiden (ranked 214 thanks to the different spelling) is no good because of being common, then Julian would fall under the same category. I actually know a Jayden though, whereas I don't know a Julian, so maybe Julian is only popular in certain areas?

Now Alexander I've loved for a long time, but Alex is pretty common and it's even ranked at #12 last year. Though I don't know any Alexanders....

By the way, my husband also posted a poll on a discussion board he frequents - they are favoring Julian Alexander. Somehow I thought most guys wouldn't like that name. My husband originally vetoed it because of it being a bit feminine, then changed his mind.

This whole name thing is so hard! It was so much easier with our daughter.

Please, more comments people! Thank you so much to Chris and Furrow for their honesty! I'd really really appreciate some more opinions too though! Maybe it will be unanimous....

PCOSMama said...

Just wanted to add that my real name is actually a really common one too, but I have the more unique spelling from my era so I rarely encountered anyone with the exact same name. My spelling made me unique. Oddly enough though, I now have a neighbor with the same name, same spelling, and another neighbor whose name is the same as my nickname with almost the same spelling.

Also had to add that you have both made my husband very happy with your votes! After originally vetoing it, Julian has become his favorite.

PCOSMama said...

Thought I could edit my own comments, but I guess not - hubby just checked back on his poll and it looks like Jaiden Alexander is winning now. He needs to recheck the numbers though because it looks like while people commented on the name they liked, not everyone hit the poll button because the numbers aren't adding up. Julian and Jaiden might be tied....

Lollipop Goldstein said...

I like Julian a lot. I think my big reason is because of Julian Lennon and the song "Hey Jude" which was named after him. I think I like Julian Alexander slightly better, but I like Nathaniel too.

Searching said...

I love the names Julian AND Alexander, so that's my pick. :) In our NICU we usually have no less than 3 Jayden/Jaiden/Caiden/Caden/Braeden/etc at any given time. At one time 8 of the 52 babies had those names! VERY popular right now!

Kristen said...

I think I like Jaiden Alexander the best. I've always liked Nathaniel as a first name though. I love its meaning - "gift from god". Hubby and I are definitely considering that if we should have a boy.

This is a hard one. They're all good!

Yeah So said...

I prefer the name Alexander overall, so that's my first choice. I don't love Jaiden, to be honest, but I do like the shortened "Jay", so I like Jaiden Alexander or Jaiden Nathaniel next.

Not that you asked, but I really like Alexander Nathaniel!

Heather said...

I think Jaiden Alexander and Julian Alexander have the nicest flow to them.

Anonymous said...

I love the name Julien- and for the exact reason someone else said- The Beatles. Hey Jude.

Jude Law

yum

oh...where was I? I like Julian Alexander. & you can always call him Jude Xander.

Anonymous said...

Julian Alexander is beautiful. They're all nice choices, btw.

Erin said...

Julian Alexander is my fave of the group. Somehow the i in Jaiden makes it seem more feminine to me than Julian. I also know a girl Jaden, so that's not helping. Regardless, Julian Alexander would be my choice. Good luck! You're brave to take this poll!

Sunny said...

Julian Nathaniel

A coworker has a jaiden and the name drives me nuts. HA!

Anonymous said...

Oo, I love the Julians. Mr.Oro says Julian Alexander is perfect. I have to say I love the sound of it, too! Julian Nathaniel is a little too nnnnn-y for me. But I love Julian!

Anonymous said...

I like Julian Alexander, or even Alexander Julian (not on your list, but I'm adding it anyhow! LOL)

I love the name Julian, but DH vetoed it. Guess what my son's name is? Alexander. I've yet to meet another one, though a girl on my message board that gave birth the same day named her son Alexander too, so we have Birthday and Name twins. :-)

I know FOUR Jaidens of various spellings so I actually never know how to spell it now. (Hard when sending cards or emails). My OB said that even though Alex is supposedly popular, she's only delivered a couple in the last year but about 150 Jaidens/Aidens/Bradens/Cadens and Owens!

They're ALL nice names, though.

Anonymous said...

I love Jaiden alexander!!!

niobe said...

Julian Alexander and Jaiden Alexander are the two that, to me, have the best rhythm and balance. While I like them both, the only problem I see with Jaiden is that I know of two little girls named Jaiden (or maybe Jayden or Jaden -- since I've only heard the names spoken, but never seen them spelled out).

So, to my ear, Jaiden sounds more like a girl's name. However, this might be less of an issue if there are a lot of people who name their little boys after Britney's baby.

Cyndi said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cyndi said...

Ok, so I read your comments now, yes you do have one of the most popular names ever, but u are right, your mom and dad made it unique, and thats how you were lucky enough to get a friend like me (lOL), as far as Britney and her son, dont worry about that, she is a has been, and by the time you have this baby, we can all hope her 15 minutes will be up.

lub said...

I like Jaiden Alexander.

seussgirl said...

I didn't want to read the other comments before posting my choice: My first choice was Jaiden Alexander. Then I accidentally read the first comment, and agree that "Jaiden" in many forms is becoming popular, so I also like Alexander Jaiden. I hope you both love whatever name you ultimately choose!

MamaChristy said...

If you are worried about him getting picked on, go with Alexander. or you could call him Julian Jaiden and call him J. J. I love J or Jay as a nickname - simple, strong and good for a baby or a man!

Esperanza said...

I really like Jaiden Nathaniel.

Very sweet. Also, because I know a Jayden (different spelling) - a very sweet little boy.

And I know too many Alexanders - who happen to be problem children. I know very unfair. But, they have **said with a shrug**. It could be that it was their first names.

Ashley said...

Jaiden Alexander