Alden?

[RainCheckMate]

Thoughts on the boy's name Alden (pronounced All-den)? Is it too close to Alton and therefore might cause "Alton Towers" teasing? Do you think it sounds nice?

I like it, but I have hesitation because I can see him having the nn of Al, and I absolutely hate Al.

It’s nice, I particularly like the meaning (old friend)

@Aquamarine1029

I like it, but I have hesitation because I can see him having the nn of Al, and I absolutely hate Al.

Do you see that potential despite the different pronunciation?

I know one - he’s never been called Al. I really like it.

I met a little boy called Auden the other day and thought how nice it was.

It just sounds like a random surname to me, it’s odd unless it’s your maiden name or something, in which case it sounds quite old fashioned

There’s a world of nice names out there

Every name has the potential to be tweaked to a nickname, so if you live it, go for it!

I know a late teens Alden and always think it sounds very old fashioned when I hear it, maybe because it literally sounds like olden. No Alton/Al worries I wouldn't think.

I'm not keen

I know an Alden and the name suits him perfectly. He is a lovely teenager, pleasant, well mannered, fun and interesting. Never heard him be called Al, and never heard him teased for his name either.

It's ok. I knew somebody with this surname.

I think people would misread it as Aidan, unless you purposefully did the L really big.

I don’t think he’d get Alton Towers, no. It’s not my cup of tea - to me, it sounds quite old fashioned (prob because of its origin) and a bit meh, but if you love it then go for it

@ImJustNotMeAnymore

I know an Alden and the name suits him perfectly. He is a lovely teenager, pleasant, well mannered, fun and interesting. Never heard him be called Al, and never heard him teased for his name either.

Are they in the UK? Do you know of any problems with people mispronouncing or misreading the name?

I’m not keen on it myself but there’s nothing really wrong with it. I can’t see how it can be mispronounced and I don’t think it’s a name that’ll get teased over

Sounds like Maldon.

Pronounced All-den rather than Al-den? I think it's unlikely to be shorter to Al in that case. I've never heard it but quite like it.

I really like Auden, like the poet. Not quite so convinced by the Alden spelling/pronunciation, but it’s OK.

I've never heard of it but it's nice. If pronounced All-den I can't see him being called Al. I would say Al-den if I'd only seen it written but that is very easy to correct. Kinda reminds me of the girls name Olwyn

I've never heard of that, but it's a nice name.

I know a grown up Halden, he doesn't get Hal as everyone uses the full name.

@JoyLurking9to5

It's ok. I knew somebody with this surname.

I think people would misread it as Aidan, unless you purposefully did the L really big.

This. I came on the thread to comment on how much I liked the name Aidan, then realised it was Aldan.

Misread it as Aiden.
Pronounce it as Al-den.

I normally really dislike sn type names but I rather like this one.

Never heard it before but surely he’d get Al den rather than All den and be having to correct people constantly.

I don't mind it but Alden autocorrected to Alpen in my phone like the cereal.

I can’t imagine Alton Towers leading to bad teasing though? It’s not really an embarrassing thing to be associated with particularly, is it?

I think Alden is a nice name.