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Baby names

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

Original poster

Benny for a girl?

88 replies

Yrmyfavourite · 06/01/2023 09:02

Hello!

32 weeks with DC2 but, don't know what we're having yet and really struggling for names! Already have a little girl called Marley so, as you can tell we like gender neutral names.

I just came across a video of a girl called Benny and I love it. DH not convinced and is making Benny Hill references... 😂 Does anyone have any recommendations for longer names that could be shortened to Benny as a nickname or, similar style names?

Also, any boy name recommendations would be greatly received too!

Thank you 😊

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OneCup · 06/01/2023 19:19

There's a French female name, Benjamine. Also Bénédicte.

Luredbyapomegranate · 06/01/2023 19:12

Benedicta

1ittlegreen · 06/01/2023 19:01

Benny is too crossroads for me.

My son has two Bunnys in his class and I'm not talking rabbits!

LesOliviers · 06/01/2023 18:59

I love Stevie for a girl.

GiltEdges · 06/01/2023 18:55

What about Bernie/Bernadette?

SummaLuvin · 06/01/2023 18:45

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 06/01/2023 17:53

Me neither. Especially as I don't see (heaven forbid!) boys co opting traditionally female names. That just wouldn't be "cool" at all.

Show quote history

Not true for everyone. I love Sacha and Robin for boys which, in my U.K. experience, are viewed as more feminine despite being gender neutral.

To me there is a big difference between gender neutral names like Danny, Ashley, Alex…. that some people assume are boys but can be girls, and actual boys names like James, Duncan, Anthony…being used by girls.

DemBonesDemBones · 06/01/2023 18:10

Benjamina and Bernadette are shortened to Benny according to my old Dad Grin

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 06/01/2023 17:53

AmeliaEarhart · 06/01/2023 09:44

I think Benja (probably pronounced Benya) is a Nordic girls name. I’m sure I read a book set in Denmark or Sweden with a female character of that name.

I’m not generally a fan of the trend of appropriating boys names and declaring them “gender neutral”, but I do love the suggestion of Claude (as short for Claudia) upthread.

Me neither. Especially as I don't see (heaven forbid!) boys co opting traditionally female names. That just wouldn't be "cool" at all.

Purplemagnolias · 06/01/2023 16:54

Bennie is much nicer than Billie (too close to Willie!)

Purplemagnolias · 06/01/2023 16:49

Benny is cute for a girl!

I know one short for Benita.

But Bethany, Benilda, Benjamina would all work as full names

Rickandmortified100 · 06/01/2023 15:04

No, how about Billie? Love Billie 🥰

MerryMarigold · 06/01/2023 13:11

Bethany is great but just make sure your establish that nickname from the start. I named my daughter for the nickname and then she ended up with different nickname from birth (how her 3 year old brother said her name) and she's ended up with that.

Luana1 · 06/01/2023 12:36

There was a Benjamina on Bake Off a few years ago, I thought it was a lovely name :)

NotMeNoNo · 06/01/2023 11:45

I know a Ben short for Benedetta (Italina) so Bernadette would be fine. Benedicta?

The thing is that our generation know of Benny Hill but the generation your child will be growing up in, won't have that cultural reference at all. They might not even know Bernadette in the Big Bang theory.

Snugglemonkey · 06/01/2023 11:31

I know a few female Bennys. I am Irish and have encountered it as a nn for Bernadette, Bernín and Béibhinn. I quite like it for Bethany too.

AngelDelightUK · 06/01/2023 11:26

How about spelling it Beni?

MyGrandmaLizzie · 06/01/2023 11:20

Benny from Crossroads soap. Not very bright people known as a 'Benny'

LaLuz7 · 06/01/2023 11:15

SeasonFinale · 06/01/2023 09:16

No not even Benny for a boy

I'm with you.

Definitely no to Benny as a full name.

Maybe to Benny as nn for

Berenice
Beatrice
Benita

Slowgrowingelm · 06/01/2023 11:11

Benny > bennies > Benzedrine

not the best connection

itsabigtree · 06/01/2023 11:07

I know a beni, she's one of the best people I know! Short for Benita. Doesn't get anyone taking the mick.

I also like Mickey short for Michaela.

littlemissdizzy00 · 06/01/2023 10:40

I know someone called Benytta and is called Beny for short, great name, I love it

comeondover · 06/01/2023 10:11

Benny is slang for benzodiazepine, isn't it?

KnitterNat · 06/01/2023 10:09

Spenn · 06/01/2023 09:14

Benny on the loose!

Ha ha, I was going to post this.

Fuckstix · 06/01/2023 10:08

Benny is not to my taste but maybe Bernadette or Benedicta? Bernadette is nice

Toddlerteaplease · 06/01/2023 10:06

Benny for a bot is bad enough, but awful for a girl!

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