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Baby names

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

Original poster

Eden or Eben?

44 replies

ElleW91 · 07/11/2023 10:42

Hello
We have a baby boy due soon and are torn between Eden and Eben. We love both but can't decide between the two! Could you help pick your fav of the two? 😀

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lilyblue5 · 08/11/2023 09:18

Spaghettieis · 08/11/2023 05:02

Why not to give a son a ‘unisex’ name usually used for girls? See this thread for an example of how that feels to live with: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4934054-should-i-ditch-my-embarrassing-first-name?page=1

Ahh I read this one.
Where I am Sacha is male! So odd.
guess it depends on the place you live.

WaltzingWaters · 08/11/2023 05:12

I definitely think of Eden as feminine.
Eben would be much better for a boy.

Spaghettieis · 08/11/2023 05:02

Why not to give a son a ‘unisex’ name usually used for girls? See this thread for an example of how that feels to live with: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4934054-should-i-ditch-my-embarrassing-first-name?page=1

TheIsleOfTheLost · 07/11/2023 22:46

I first thought about the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night, but that is rather niche. I fit Terry Pratchett into almost any situation!

Eden is great, although more people will assume it is a girl name, it is unisex. If we can have girl Cameron's and Aubrey's, why not boy Edens.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/11/2023 22:14

I know three Ebens - All boys aged between 8 and 15. All of them are just known by their names, and none have any problems with it, as far as I know.

I like Eben, bye a green that Eden is a girls name.

SylvanianFrenemies · 07/11/2023 22:08

Eden.
Its lovely, and unisex. I've only ever known male Edens. Plus, Eden Hazzard.

Spaghettieis · 07/11/2023 21:57

Both terrible. Eden is a girl’s name. Eben is a German word and clearly there is no consensus how to pronounce it in the UK. Just name him Aidan or Evan.

EvaBlue · 07/11/2023 21:50

Eben!

Gowlett · 07/11/2023 18:41

Eden is unisex, in my book.

Eben, I’m seeing E-Ben. And I’m imagining it as a little brother device to Alexa. Made for kids. Sold in Smyths.

MaloneMeadow · 07/11/2023 18:38

Neither, poor kid!!

Eden - people will naturally think he’s a girl
Eben - people will think that it’s a spelling error for either Eden or Ben

Figgygal · 07/11/2023 15:18

RuthW · 07/11/2023 12:17

Eben looks like a spelling mistake.

Eden is a girl's name.

Same thoughts here sorry

mathanxiety · 07/11/2023 15:16

I'd choose Eben.

The only Edens I've met are girls. (Three of them).

Ittastesvile · 07/11/2023 14:54

I'd assume girl if I heard Eden. So for that reason I vote Eben although I didn't know how to pronounce it until you told me. It's not a name I've come across before.

PrudeyTwoShoes · 07/11/2023 12:50

Out of the two, I much prefer Eden.

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 12:22

Eben

CSB10 · 07/11/2023 12:20

SisterhoodNotCisterhood · 07/11/2023 11:25

If you child has to put an extra sentence with their name, please don't do it.

"Like XXXX but spelled YYYY"
"XXXX but with an E"
"It's Bob, but with a capital 6"

'Capital 6' 🤣🤣🤣

CSB10 · 07/11/2023 12:18

Neither they're awful

Evan?

RuthW · 07/11/2023 12:17

Eben looks like a spelling mistake.

Eden is a girl's name.

beAsensible1 · 07/11/2023 12:17

ElleW91 · 07/11/2023 12:16

Eden pronounced like the garden of Eden.
Eben pronounced Eb-ben.

Football and rugby fans! Eden Hazard and Eben Etzebeth both strong sports males who rock the name IMO.

We live in Wales so there are definitely a lot harder names to say/pronounce, so we are used to it here.

i think eben is lovely i'd go with that.

both are perfectly fine for boys

Original poster
ElleW91 · 07/11/2023 12:16

Eden pronounced like the garden of Eden.
Eben pronounced Eb-ben.

Football and rugby fans! Eden Hazard and Eben Etzebeth both strong sports males who rock the name IMO.

We live in Wales so there are definitely a lot harder names to say/pronounce, so we are used to it here.

OP posts:
Pinkdelight3 · 07/11/2023 12:07

Eben is unusual in the UK, easy to spell, easy to say.

... unless you decide it's not said that way, like PP's friend:

She's forever putting snarky comments on FB about people pronouncing it incorrectly and it being Ee-ben not Eh-bun.

Oganesson118 · 07/11/2023 12:05

hotblacktea · 07/11/2023 11:00

are you rugby fans ?

eben etzebeth is one of the best players in the world, instantly recognizable

He’ll be retiring soon though.

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 12:03

Eden is already a word (and a name) with an established pronunciation. Trying to spell it like that but pronounce it differently is just setting your child up for difficulty unnecessarily.

If you want Aiden/Aidan go with that.

Eben is unusual in the UK, easy to spell, easy to say.

FayCarew · 07/11/2023 12:00

A friend has an Eben,said as Ebben

CreationNat1on · 07/11/2023 11:58

Eben was on my list, but felt it would be a burdensome name, constantly explaining it. I went for Rowan instead.