Since you mention Whedon, it occurs to me -- have you thought about how pop culture influences naming trends? I know it can be hard to trace accurately - -but, for example, the rise in popularity of "Aidan" ca. 2000 corresponds pretty neatly to the popularity of the TV series "Sex and the City," in which the protagonist's love interest (for a few seasons) is named Aidan.
As for some of the other names, film/TV/music star Will Smith named his son Jaden (b. 1998). The young actor (b. 1981) who played Anakin Skywalker in the two most recent Star Wars movies is named Hayden Christensen. Peyton Manning, football player; Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair. Not that people are necessarily naming their babies after these individuals, but the prominence of those names in the media probably makes people think about adopting/adapting them...?
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As for some of the other names, film/TV/music star Will Smith named his son Jaden (b. 1998). The young actor (b. 1981) who played Anakin Skywalker in the two most recent Star Wars movies is named Hayden Christensen. Peyton Manning, football player; Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair. Not that people are necessarily naming their babies after these individuals, but the prominence of those names in the media probably makes people think about adopting/adapting them...?