haiden

Haiden is a term used in Shinto shrine architecture to designate the hall of worship. In a Shinto shrine, the haiden (拝殿) is the public building where worshipers stand, offer prayers, and make offerings. It is normally located in front of the honden, the main sanctuary that enshrines the kami. The haiden provides access for visitors and ritual participants, and its design and size vary by shrine. The two structures may be connected or separated, depending on historical and regional styles. Activities conducted in the haiden typically include prayer, offerings, and ceremonial performances by priests.

Haiden is also a modern given name in English-speaking countries. It is commonly treated as a variant spelling of Hayden and is used for boys, and less commonly for girls. The name's popularity rose in the late 20th century and has remained in use in contemporary naming practice. Variants of the given name include Haidan, Haden, and Hayden, with Hayden being the more traditional or surname-derived form.

Etymology and usage distinctions are important for clarity. As a shrine term, haiden is a native Japanese word describing a specific architectural and functional space within Shinto worship. As a given name, Haiden is part of a broader set of modern English names derived from Hayden, often chosen for phonetic similarity or personal preference rather than a specific meaning attributed to the shrine term.