Aidan?

[JojoMags]

What do you think? Better than Nathaniel?Would it get (disastrously) shortened to Aids?

[Pinkjenny]

I prefer Nathaniel, tbh. Love Nate too. Was on my list for ds. Aidan is nice, though. Although, I preferred Big, if I'm honest

[TinselInDisgrace]

DS1 is Aidan. It never gets shortened to aids. He absolutely adores his name.

[CuppaTeaJanice]

It would prob be shortened to Adie, rather than Aids!!

It's a very nice name. The only downside is it sometimes gets associated with less 'classy' names like Kayden, Jayden, Brayden etc.

The only Nathaniel I know was always known as Flannel. Better than Aids, but not much!!!

[tammytoby]

I prefer Nathaniel - more classic and elegant than Aidan. Not sure about the nickname Aids or Aidie ... you never know what his peers choose to call him...

[LittleYellowTeapot]

Nathaniel/Nate is a gorgeous name.
I like Aiden but don't like the Brayden/Hayden/Kayden thing.

[Minione]

Aidan is a lovely name. It is not of the Brayden/Kayden ilk, its a saint's name ffs.

Nothing wrong with Nathaniel, either, but Aidan gets my vote.

[rachel234]

Aidan is ok, but I don't like Haydan/Jaydan type names. Not sure about nicknames - does it need to be shortened? Aidie/Aid?

[dietcokesholidaysarecoming]

Aidan is beautiful and timeless. It's a saints name. It not too common as in popular and chavvy.

Nathaniel reminds me of a natwest wade piggy. Quite like Nat as a nn though.

[dietcokesholidaysarecoming]

I don't think you can compare it to the new style Hayden or jayden names.

It will get misspelt though- aiden is commonly an appearance in our Xmas cards. Have heard of ayden and Aden too.

Obviously I am bias and prefer Aidan

[dietcokesholidaysarecoming]

Oh and sometimes people shorten it to Ade- Im not keen and therefore don't encourage it. When he starts school though I can't stop it!

[usualsuspect]

I like it but then I quite like jayden/brayden etc

[CuppaTeaJanice]

Grrrrrr.....Hayden is a traditional name and so is Aidan.

You'll see by the above posts that both will inevitably be lumped together with awful JaydenKaydenBraden names and you'll end up irrationally wound up when you hear one of them being screeched across the playground.

There doesn't seem to be the same association with other names that happen to rhyme with less desirable names. I bet mums of Ben and Annie don't get comparisons with Ken and Fanny!

[purplefeet]

Aidan is a good name. I met an Aidan named after some actor - think he's called Aidan Quinn or something, was in Legends of the fall, so the baby Aidan's mum told me. I've never heard of him myself.

[Nightstar]

I absoltely love the name Aidan. And Aidan Quinn is extemely talented!

I think it's actually quite an upper class name. I know one and it's never ever shortened, his name is Aidan, we've only ever called him that.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Love the name Aidan and only know one who is in his 30's.

Much nicer than Nathaniel, but there again the only Nathaniel I know is in my DS class and is a little brat lively.

[ShoshanaBlue]

I love Aidan.

[Komondor]

Both Aidan and Nathaniel are good names.

[5DollarShake]

DH is an Aiden (with an e) and his name is very rarely shortened - ocassionally to Aido by friends.

[ValiumTinselton]

I like Aidan and have never associated it with Aids!

I think in the USA though, Aidan spawned the kaden, jaden, zayden names. Obviously Aidan is in a totally different category but some people who are ignorant of Aidan's origins might lump them all in together.

[TheManWhoSoldtheWorld]

I know two men named Aidan. One is called Ade/Adey and the other is never shortened at all. I think it's a lovely name.

I like Nathaniel too though, so not much help!

[Thinkofanumber]

DS is Aidan, very often gets spelt Aiden or Haydn ('h's are dropped where we live, I spent 3 years thinking DH's cousin was Anna instead of Hannah).
I love it and when shortened we call him Dan.

[Thinkofanumber]

I like Nathan too btw, was on our very short list.