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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Benjamin and it's nicknames - loads of questions!

34 replies

portabello · 20/10/2010 19:59

Hi all, we love the name Benjamin and it's nickanmes but are just a little concerned that it's super popular and there will be about 10 in DS's class when he's older.

Does anyone have any idea how popular it is in real terms not just national stats i.e. how many Ben's do you know and what age are they?

Also, is Ben seen as a boring, safe name or a timeless classic? What are your thoughts?

Any other opinions most welcome - I won't take offence :) Ta!

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BabyValentine · 26/10/2010 20:22

I know 2 Bens - one 11, one 2.

MoppingMummy · 25/10/2010 17:17

I know 4 Bens born in past 5 yrs - 2 were in the last yr. One of those is called Benji, but the others are Ben. I think it's a lovely name though!

KERALA1 · 23/10/2010 07:41

On average every other mother with boys around here has a Ben. It is a great name but if popularity bothers you I would avoid.

pippop1 · 22/10/2010 17:35

I have a Benjamin and he's 22. Now he is called Ben by everyone except his parents. We have a short surname so it makes for a rathe short whole name. We used to call him Bun (short for Benjamin Bunny - Beatrix Potter) and I still do call him that by accident sometimes! Just make sure his initials don't spell anything silly, e.g. BAD or BUM for example.

jellybeans · 22/10/2010 17:06

I don't like Benjamin but like Ben. It's not that popular near me. I know a teenage one, his family call him Benji.

MamaLazarou · 22/10/2010 15:09

I know 4 Bens under 5. Not the most exciting name, but it's classless and timeless.

LunarSea · 22/10/2010 12:29

I know one who'd be about 7 now, three 8 year olds, and one about 40. They're all know as Ben - no idea if any of them are really Benjamins or Benedicts.

Egg · 21/10/2010 18:17

My DS1 is Benjamin. There are 2 or 3 other Bens in our road. He has just started Reception though and he is the only one out of 60. There were two in Reception last year. It pretty popular round here but I still love it.

iknowanoldlady · 21/10/2010 18:14

I have a Ben and concur with the view expressed by many - a timeless, classic and strong name. Love it. We decided on it right at the start and never wavered. He is also just a Ben.

plonker · 21/10/2010 16:55

I know loads of Bens but I still think it's one of the best boys names out there!

Great name

LilyBolero · 21/10/2010 16:51

We also call our B Benjamino (pronounced Ben-ja-meen-oh)

PosieComeHereMyPreciousParker · 21/10/2010 16:15

I like Jams....

LouMacca · 21/10/2010 15:57

When I looked at the National Statistics list I seem to remember Benjamin and Ben being listed in their own right. As most Benjamins are refered to as Ben it is probably more popular than you think it is iyswim.

I do really like the name but I know 10 boys called Ben just off the top of my head.

weblette · 21/10/2010 15:51

My 9yo Benjamin is one of three in his year - and they all happen to be in the same class. His class mates call him Benjy, one Ben the other Benjamin.

In my other childrens' years the name is far less common.

HRHCavey · 21/10/2010 15:48

According to the Office for National Statistics the name Benjamin was 57th on the list of popular baby boy names in 2008, with 1,339 babies given that name.

In 2007 it was 14th on the list with over 3,600 babies given the name.

When you consider that the top 3 names generally have over 6,500 babies with the given name, it really is not that popular these days.

I love it, but I'm biased as DH is a Ben!

Notquitegrownup · 21/10/2010 14:46

I have a Benjamin, aged 7. He's Ben most of the time, Benjamin in trouble, Benjy lots of the time too. Thought I was the only person ever to use Benjy as he watched lots of Engy Benjy when he was little, so I am amazed to find several others here. I swore he would never be a Benny (too vivid memories of Benny Hill here) but when he's tired, he calls himself Benny, and always has. ("Benny's very tired")

We only have two other Benjamin's in a school of 200+ . I love Benedict too, as a name.

magnolia74 · 21/10/2010 14:40

We have a benjamin (nearly 4) he has a benjamin in his class but thats the only other i know. He is ben most of the time, benny boy, benJARmin when we are being silly and benjamin when he doesn't listen

FimboBBINGFORAPPLES · 21/10/2010 14:34

I know loads of Bens and I mean loads probably off the top my head at least 20 if not more all of varying ages from babies to grown men.

Komondor · 21/10/2010 10:40

I love the name Ben. I dont know any Bens under 28.

A classic.

Poshpaws · 21/10/2010 09:27

We have a Benjamin. We call him Ben,Benny- Ben, B.

He is 3 and I don't know any other Benjamins. I only know one Ben who is about 6, so no, I don't think it is as popular as it was. Having said that, when strangers hear me call him, they remark on what a good, strong traditional name it is

duncandisorderly · 21/10/2010 09:21

I have a nine year old Ben and he is the only one in his year group at school. He gets called Benny, Benno, Benjamuffin etc.

AbsofCroissant · 21/10/2010 09:18

I know lots of Bens, and think it's a wonderful wonderful name. All of them are wicked - timeless classic rather than boring.

LittleMissWorryHead · 21/10/2010 09:16

I have a Ben (he won't let me call him Benjamin!) and he is 6 - there are LOADS of them in his school - so it is VERY popular among that age group anyway...

Fabulous timeless name though, we love it.

telsa · 21/10/2010 08:26

There is one in my DD's class, age 5/6. It is a timeless lovely name. There is a German name Benno - which I think is nice as a nn.

WowOoo · 21/10/2010 08:19

There isn't one in ds's class.

I do know of two others but not half as popular as other classic names around here. It's lovely.

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