What's happened to boys' names?

[maxnhobnobs]

Last night I was at a high school reunion with friends I've not seen for about 20 years. Most already have kids (I'm expecting my 1st, have prioristised career over settling down lol).
Hearing the names of some of their sons made me feel really out of touch with the times: Kayden, Jayden, Kai, Kian, Storm. They were suggesting names for my DS (due in May) but I said I've already picked a name I'm happy with. One friend was like 'Jordan-Jayden', another was like 'Kayden-Kai'. I feel like a snob but they all sounds like names from benefits Britain. Friends were saying my choice (Ben) is too boring. Is it really?

@Snowbell99

How is Kai not acceptable? It's an old German and Scandinavian name with lots of history. People who think it's made up are maybe not very knowledgeable about other cultures? Would anyone say this about Ragnar? These are such old names.

I think Wayne Rooney is to blame for that. The name catapulted into the stratosphere after he used it. And won itself a MN "chav badge"

They are trash names. They are.
I love Ben.
My son has a hard to spell, but traditional name and everyone complains about it which does my head in, as he'll likely be a school with a bunch of made up or made up spelling names.

This sounds like it could be the sequel to Romy and Michelle's highschool reunion - are you really SO insecure that you need to try and make yourself look better to a bunch of people that you probably haven't spoken more than a friendly greeting to in 20 years?

They like their names, you like yours, does it really matter what either of you think of each others?

A name doesn't shape a child, the parents attitude does. I'd be more concerned about sorting that if I were you

@Londoncallingtothefarawaytowns

They are trash names. They are. I love Ben. My son has a hard to spell, but traditional name and everyone complains about it which does my head in, as he'll likely be a school with a bunch of made up or made up spelling names.

That's such a nasty comment. People need to check their prejudice and stop judging people by their names. They didn't choose their name.

What's happened to boys' names? Back in the day, many (if not most) boys were named after family members. This ensured names like John and Robert remained popular. Nowadays, there isn't same pressure to name boys after their Dad/Grandpa so boys' names are driven more by fashion than tradition (as has been the case for girls' names for some time). That opened the floodgates for names like Jayden (a previously unknown name that was made familiar by several celebrity babies) and Kayden (which is much of the same).

Personally, I like Benjamin but I'm not a fan of Ben as a standalone name. And I think your friends must have been pulling your leg if they were actually suggesting Jordan-Jayden.

I think Ben is an incredibly boring name. However, I’m not keen on the Jenson/Jackson/Mason/Kayden trend either.

YANBU to call your son Ben but TANBU to call their sons Kayden.

YABU to be so snobby about these names.

I'm not surprised you've disappeared OP. didn't quite go how you planned?

Isn't Ben short for Benefits?