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Baby names

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Original poster

Theodore v Benedict

34 replies

HalcyonDaze · 19/02/2010 12:47

Two of our top contenders atm. We need a longer fn as our sn is only one syllable.

I was worried Theodore could potentially soar in popularity compared to Benedict but maybe that only applies to 'Theo' and he would definitely be Theodore on the bc nn Teddy.

Other names on 'the list' are Sebastian (but not keen on Seb, Baz or Bastian as nn's), Barnaby and Tobias.

I just can't decide! Are there any other nice but not overly popular boys names with 3 plus syllables that I'm just missing?

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houseworkhater · 22/02/2010 16:50

Prefer Benedict to Theodore.
Also like Tobias.

mopsyflopsy · 22/02/2010 15:08

Personally I much prefer your recent suggestions of Rupert and Laurence - both fab, classic underused names imo.

I don't mind Ben and Theo but there are so many of them around....

PanicMode · 22/02/2010 13:31

We've had all of those on our list at one point or another (and our Theodore is a Theo though). I love Jasper but DS1 "hates it", Sebastian I like, but dislike Seb, Hugo doesn't go with our surname, and we can't have Rupert because we already have a Rufus.

Tobias is also lovely, but DH doesn't like it - so our short, shortlist is now Felix, Monty, Jasper and I still can't let go of Magnus!

Original poster
HalcyonDaze · 22/02/2010 12:32

Thanks for the opinions/suggestions.

'Bendy Dick' is a bit of a worry but I suppose kids can make up a nn for anything.

The Barnaby Bear comments don't bother me tbh. I can cope with that link. Unfortunately DH isn't quite so keen on that one anyway.

Will have a think on a 2 syllable name. We like Hugo, Laurence and Jasper so something to go on there altho Hugo had the potential to be shortened to H or Hugh and Jasper Jas (which is flippin awful). Lorrie is ok for Laurence.

I also quite like Rupert but not sure how it would be received in a state school. I do like it a lot tho.

Will think on Tobias too as I do like Toby and that gives us a 3 syllable name with a 2 syllable nn.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
rosieposey · 21/02/2010 08:42

I wanted Theodore for my DS but because it was getting a little more common opted for Milo (which someone mentioned on the first page), Benedict is sure to be shortend to Ben - i think Thaddeus is very greek sounding and quite cool as well

AllieW · 21/02/2010 08:37

LOVE Benedict (we'd like to call a possible future son Arthur Benedict). Not so keen on Theodore (although Theo is nice).

Lionstar · 20/02/2010 21:01

All right anamaria, you're in

anamaria22 · 20/02/2010 10:15

Thaddeus is lovely - elegant and masculine sounding with Ted or Teddy as good nickname options. It is also less common than Theo and Ben, both of which I'm getting a bit tired of hearing if I'm honest - there are just so many around.

janeite · 19/02/2010 23:36
Smile
Lionstar · 19/02/2010 23:33

LOL jane, lets have us a clique . And what's not to like about Thaddeus, tis a fine name.

janeite · 19/02/2010 23:22

Lion - I have never met ANYBODY else who likes the name Thaddeus.

CaptainNancy · 19/02/2010 22:28

Love them both!

Lionstar · 19/02/2010 22:24

Lovely names.

I also like Thaddeus as someone else suggested, but then I did meet a gorgeous Thaddeus once, nn Teddy crewing a yacht in the Med

Lizzylou · 19/02/2010 22:23

My boy is Benny
But I agree, I far prefer his full name to the shortened ones.
He is also Benny Badger if that helps?

Thissideofchannel · 19/02/2010 22:23

By the way, we also have a short, one syllable surname. That is exactly why we chose a 2 syllable name that was unlikely to be shortened . It hasn't so far .

I honestly think that a 3 syllable name WILL be shortened, so bear that in mind.

Thissideofchannel · 19/02/2010 22:21

The problem with both names is that they will inevitably shortened to

Ben

and

Theo

which is a shame imo. HAve you considered a 2 syllable name that may not be shortened, like Felix, Quentin, Milo, Adam etc.?

Lizzylou · 19/02/2010 22:15

Would you believe it?
Another Benedict today in the swimming pool changing rooms, just when I was sooo smug that I had picked a less popular name

Rolf · 19/02/2010 19:22

Both gorgeous names. We have both in our family . FWIW, I probably know about as many Theodores as Benedicts.

donnie · 19/02/2010 19:08

both lovely but Benedict is loveliest!

zapostrophe · 19/02/2010 18:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

AngryPixie · 19/02/2010 18:55

Theodore nn Teddy
I LOVE Teddy for little boys.

I was put off Benedict by a male friend who went through teenage hell being called Bendy Dick

PestoMonster · 19/02/2010 18:49

Theodore

lovely

PanicMode · 19/02/2010 18:48

I have a Theodore and so I'm biased - he is rising 6 so ahead of the popularity curve, but it does seem to be on the increase which I'm a bit about!

I had Benedict on our list for this one, but DH vetoed because of the papal connection, and he thinks Ben is a bit Meh....

I also would avoid Barnaby as although we had it on our list, the bear connection has put me off. DS1 was at a different school last year, and in both Reception and Y1 we've had Barnaby Bear home for the weekend.

IWillNotNeverEatATomato · 19/02/2010 14:19

I love both Benedict and Theodore, my cousins have these names.
however no one ever refers to them with the full name they are Ben and Theo

therefore if you want a longer name to go with a one syllable surname name you might be better off with a two syllable name which is much more difficult to shorten, like Miles (as someone else suggested)

You could shorten both your choices to two syllable nicknames and in this case I therefore would probably choose Theodore over Benedict as I prefer Teddy over Benny

mrsvwoolf · 19/02/2010 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.