Benjamin or Robert and why

I have a 7yo Robert (who’ll only answer to Robbie). I’m heartened by all the nice comments because I was a bit scared to click this.

I know a few Robbies and all v friendly/cheeky rather than thuggish!

It’s definitely not an ‘of its time’ name - DS was named after my 92yo grandad and shares it with my 68yo uncle. I also think This guy is a few years past 40...

Robert.

Benjamin is nice, Ben is nice.

Robert is far less fashionable at the mo (it is classic but has faded at the mo, along with Andrew, David, Stephen), so will stand out more, while being instantly recognisable to everyone.

Rob is a good name, Robbie is cute, Bob is an accomplished adult of the 1950s / 60s (e.g. Bob Hope) if not otherwise desirable, Bertie is well Victorian but, great-grandparent chic perhaps. Many possibilities.

Rob Lowe, Rob Stark.

Yes, lots of names were popular a long time ago, but they go around in cycles. Jason isn't a new name historically but it is still a very 80s name...

There were absolutely loads of Roberts in the 70s and 80s. Get a bunch of men born in the 70s and 80s together and there are far more likely to be several Roberts, Richards, Andrews and Davids than there are in a group of boys of school age.

Most people who went to primary school in the 1980s will have had 2 Roberts in their class...

I like both.

Prefer Ben to Benjamin.

Love, love, love Rob. Don't like Bob or Bobby.

Young me would have chosen Ben. Older, sophisticated me chooses Rob.

Eh? Robert has been a popular name since the Middle Ages, it certainly is not particular to the 1970s and 80s. My grandfather was called Robert (Bobby), and he was born 100 years ago. Robert the Bruce, Bobby Moore, Robert Redford, none of them 70s babies.

Don't be snobby, Thick.

Benjamin.

I don't like Robert for personal reasons now but even before that was not a fan of it after hearing it pronounced without the T at the end. Robuh.

Robert is of its time though, and it's time was between 1970 and 1980.

Most Roberts are "dad" age. Its a contemporary of Clare and Sarah and perhaps Laura and maybe Tracy... For boys Robert, Richard, John, David and Andrew.

It's not timeless, its just not popular atm. Its a dad name not a grandad name really IMO. Too recent to be anything but stale.

Benjamin is a bit boring but less likely to be the name of 4 of his classmates dads but nobody else anywhere near his age. I

Maybe something else though.

I have a Robert, but he's known as Bertie. (For complicated family reasons we didn't want to use Albert as the full name, so went with Robert). When he's older he can change it to Rob, Bob, Robbie or keep Bertie. It's a very versatile name!

I like both, but prefer Robert. I don't even mind Bob!

Also the only Bob or Bobbys I know are called James, as in Jim-Bob. Which sounds really hick-like but both Bobby-short-for-James that I know are public school educated!!

Bob is beyond awful.

Dustman Bob.

Unemployed Bob.

I have a cousin Robert in his early 20s who goes by Robbie and is about as far removed from thuggish as you can get, he’s really arty and creative. I think he got the NN because his mum was big a Robbie Williams fan who was in his heyday when my cousin was little

I like both Robert and Ben though, can’t say I’ve met any small Roberts recently although I know a few Bens.

I love Robert- I have a Robert who is 3.
We decided his nn would be Bob which I think is a great name, but children his own age tend to call him Bobby which I’m not as keen on though I think this will probably change to Bob/Rob as he gets older. In fact it’s a very flexible name - can be Robert/Rob/Bob or even Bertie!

I prefer Benjamin

Baby Bob.

It just doesn't sound right to me. :o

Robin is nice.

I don't like Robert, Robbie, Bob or Bobby.
Hence I'd pick Benjamin.

I love Ben(jamin) and its we will use if we have a son. Great name. Don't mind Robert but particularly like Ben.

I love Robert. It's a good solid name with nice NNs

Actually some DC I know could probably rock the name Bob!

Like both but prefer Ben because most of the (many) Bens I have known have been nice! Do like Robert and most shortenings but sounds a bit clunky/stodgy and don’t like Bob.

Robert, I’ve always liked it. Ben is a bit boring.

Never liked Robin - Robert much stronger.

I like both but Robert has the edge for me. It's classic, everybody recognises it, but not too over-used at the moment. Only one way to spell it, lots of short forms but not too long to use in full if he prefers. I'm not that keen on Bob/Bobby (although they're unlikely to be used anyway unless you specifically request it, as they sound a bit dated now), but Rob, Robbie and Robert all sound like someone nice and friendly and straightforward to me.