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Original poster

Aidan or Kai?

34 replies

user1489696073 · 16/03/2017 20:31

Hello,

We are a Korean family, who have just moved from Hawaii, and are looking for names for our son.

Our top names are Aidan and Kai, I think we will go for one of these Smile which do you prefer?

Thank you.

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BounceBounceSplishSplash · 17/03/2017 20:18

Aidan.

Kai just reminds me of the Rooneys.

HeadDreamer · 17/03/2017 20:17

Someone already said it. Kai is food in NZ. Definitely not good.

1horatio · 17/03/2017 14:27

Shoot. Typing with a broken screen (I'm too clumsy to own a mobile phone, I guess...)is apparently a really really bad idea.

Oh well, I think my comment still made sense (probably. Maybe...) Blush

TwentyCups · 17/03/2017 14:26

I really like both!

1horatio · 17/03/2017 14:24

I don't like Kai where there is no cultural significance but, given you are Hawaiian/Korean and (huge assumption!) have a surname to match, I think it changes the feel of the name.

I'm not quite sure why, but I really agree with it.

I didn'r even know Kai also meant Ocean. But it's imo a loverlier choice than Aidan...

marmitecheesetoast · 17/03/2017 11:52

Aidan, not keen on Kai for the reasons mentioned above I'm afraid, although 'ocean' is a lovely meaning. Aidan is a really nice name Smile

SoupDragon · 17/03/2017 07:54

I don't like Kai where there is no cultural significance but, given you are Hawaiian/Korean and (huge assumption!) have a surname to match, I think it changes the feel of the name.

OliviaStabler · 17/03/2017 06:51

Aidan. As someone else said, Kai is a common name.

MiniMaxi · 17/03/2017 06:49

PS if you do choose Aidan, definitely go with that spelling

MiniMaxi · 17/03/2017 06:48

I like both names and think Kai is a great choice given its meaning for you.

Like a previous poster said, people criticise it on mumsnet but in real life I don't think you'd find the same reaction. (Incidentally, to me it's always had a Californian / surfer feel)

Welcome to the UK Smile - the sun does shine occasionally and we have some beautiful beaches!

MsJuniper · 17/03/2017 06:45

Aidan is a beautiful name, and the correct spelling.

GinSwigmore · 17/03/2017 01:08

Both are really lovely. The meanings "little fire" and "ocean" are charming. When is he due? (If you really have no preference but he ends up being Aries/Leo/Sagittarius, call him Aidan. If he ends up being cancer/Scorpio/Pisces, call him Kai). no I don't actually believe in astrology, don't worry!

SchnitzelVonCrumb · 17/03/2017 00:35

Kai means food where I am from New Zealand.

So I say to the kids " Enoho tamaraki kai time"

"Sit down children food time"

Bambambini · 17/03/2017 00:20

In the UK "Kai" is seen as a bit common and brash. As you're not from here and will probably move on again then you'd probably escspe the usual associations folk have with the name.

PinkCrystal · 17/03/2017 00:14

Kai is lovely. Both are nice.

Sophronia · 16/03/2017 23:02

Kai. Not keen on Aidan.

SoupDragon · 16/03/2017 21:32

Seems like Aidan keeps being spelt Aiden? Is that a better spelling?

No, Aidan is the correct spelling.

yellowbirdie · 16/03/2017 21:30

Kai and Aiden/Aidan are very different names. Aidan every time. I believe the Aidan spelling is Irish.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 16/03/2017 21:27

Kai.

BettyOBarley · 16/03/2017 21:20

Aidan definitely

1horatio · 16/03/2017 21:16

I like Kai :) It's really, really lovely.

But yes, I do prefer Aiden to Aidan. But Kai is still nicer imo :)

Original poster
user1489696073 · 16/03/2017 21:09

Seems like Aidan keeps being spelt Aiden? Is that a better spelling?

OP posts:
RuthB4 · 16/03/2017 21:08

Aiden is gorgeous! To me Kai is chavvy too but having said that i think lots of middle/upper class people name their children Kai too so don't be put off if you prefer that name.

EssentialHummus · 16/03/2017 21:00

Aidan.

For a bit of background, Kai was the name given by a famous but not very well regarded footballer to his son 10(ish) years ago, took off a bit in popularity, and now is sometimes seen as a bit of a lower class or naughty boy's name. I'm trying to avoid the usual words that crop up around it, but I think the US equivalent would be something like "trailer trash". Having said that, this is one of those times where the Mumsnet verdict is unlikely to mirror real life.

EverythingEverywhere1234 · 16/03/2017 20:55

Kai is infinitely nicer than Aiden.
More so because of the meaning it has for you.

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