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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thomas (Tommy) or Benji?

41 replies

firsttimepregnanthelp · 21/04/2026 10:28

Hi everyone,

Baby boy is 10 days old and bf and i can't agree on names. I like traditional names (George, Harry, Oliver etc) and I don't like bf's suggestions (Blake, Reese, Paul, Alex).

The two that we both don't hate but don't love are Thomas (Tommy) and Benjamin.

I really don't love the idea of having to compromise on my child's name but which out of those two is better? Any other suggestions?

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BoleynMemories13 · 21/04/2026 12:49

I love Thomas and like Benjamin, but really dislike Tommy and Benji. Personally, I'd shorten to Tom and Ben.

Thomas does edge it for me.

Besafeeatcake · 21/04/2026 12:44

Benji in the US is a very famous show about a dog (think Lassie) so I think dog name.

Both are fine, common, normal

Crikeyomalley · 21/04/2026 12:43

Really like both - refreshing to see unextraordinary names on here. Not keen on Benji but like Ben as a nickname. Prefer Thomas

Jammin8 · 21/04/2026 12:38

I like Benjamin (Ben), Thomas (Tom) or Alexander (Alex, Xander, Sandy).

MyMilchick · 21/04/2026 12:37

Blondiney · 21/04/2026 12:34

Benji is a good dog name.

😂 I was just typing that

MyMilchick · 21/04/2026 12:36

Tommy. Benji sounds like a dogs name.

Blondiney · 21/04/2026 12:34

Benji is a good dog name.

CarrotSpa · 21/04/2026 12:34

Benjamin is a great name. However no grown man should be called Benji

ImFineItsAllFine · 21/04/2026 12:33

I absolutely love Benjamin/Benji, we couldn't use it for family reasons though 🙁

Thomas is OK but a little bit meh. Don't love Tommy as a nn.

7238SM · 21/04/2026 11:57

I like Thomas, Benjamin, Benedict and Alexander and if they must be shortened, then Tom, Ben and Alex are equally great names which can be carried into adulthood.

Benji sounds like a dog and isn't Tommy a type of gun?

BarnacleBeasley · 21/04/2026 11:53

I think of Benjamin as being a younger son name (probably because of Benjamin being the 12th son in the bible story, and because I used to live in France where it's also a word used for the youngest child). Also I really like Thomas. So I would pick that and then save Benjamin for if you have another little boy.

AddictedtoCrunchies · 21/04/2026 11:38

I've got a Benjamin so am biased. He is 18 now. Goes by Ben, Benj, Benjo, Benjo-boo, Boo and Boodles. Only his nanna called him Benjamin. I loved it when I named him and still love it now. Good strong name.

Lomonald · 21/04/2026 11:05

I like Thomas Tommy is also fine.much better than Benji. Although I think Alex (Alexander) is nice why don't you like it?

ToadRage · 21/04/2026 11:01

I love Benedict. Also not a fan of Benjamin or Thomas. What about Henry, its similar to your Harry. Or the more trad spelling Rhys of your husbands Reese.

Mydogisagentleman · 21/04/2026 10:51

Tom over Tommy and Ben above Benjy.
How about Benedict

Melsy88 · 21/04/2026 10:50

I'm not really keen on Thomas or Benjamin to be honest. If I had to choose, i'd go Benjamin - although i'd go for Ben over Benji (and Tom over Tommy).

What about Alexander if your partner likes Alex? Its a nice traditional name.