Just got me thinking.

If you think about it, both are from supposedly 'heavenly' races (well...Avariel can fly right? THat gives them something close to heavenly?), both are well known for combat support (hint: Aeris' limit breaks), both are sweet to the PC/party...heck, their names are very close to each other :)

(Off Topic) PS: Advent children rocks!! :)

It's a a good character-type, so it gets repeated ad nauseam. Here's some more:
(Note: Some serious BG2 and FF7 spoilers!!!)
Both are naive, sorcerous healers: Aerie is a C/M; Aeris is the only one who has healing Limit Breaks, and she's got Materia for sorcery. Both lived in crappy places: Aerie lived in a very slummy circus; Aeris lived in the Midgar slums. Both were persecuted: Aeris by the Turks, and Aerie by whoever ripped off her wings. Both have romantic interests that are cut short: Aeris starts to date Cloud but dies, Aerie breaks up with Haer'Dalis

their names are very close to each other "aer" is the latin word for "air", so that's why it's so fitting for flying or winged creatures.

You can probably find some similarities from any two characters if you really look for them, but IMO it's just the names in this case.

I was so shocked when Aeris died. I was romancing her, then poof. :'(