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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Benjamin and it's nicknames - loads of questions!

34 replies

portabello · 20/10/2010 19:59

Hi all, we love the name Benjamin and it's nickanmes but are just a little concerned that it's super popular and there will be about 10 in DS's class when he's older.

Does anyone have any idea how popular it is in real terms not just national stats i.e. how many Ben's do you know and what age are they?

Also, is Ben seen as a boring, safe name or a timeless classic? What are your thoughts?

Any other opinions most welcome - I won't take offence :) Ta!

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LilyBolero · 20/10/2010 20:01

We have a Benjamin! I don't think it is that popular now, certainly other names seem to pop up more often - Alex, James, Leo, Callum all seem more popular.

And Ben is cool. We tend to cool our B Benjy or Benjamin, but I'm sure he will be Ben when bigger.

mybootsaremuddy · 20/10/2010 20:16

My nephew is Benjamin nn Benny. He is 8 and although there are 2 other Ben's in his school he is the only Benny.
My SIL thught Ben sounded a bit harsh on a baby and didnt like Benjy so used Benny with intention to call him Ben when older but Benny has kind of stuck and realy suits him.
I think it is a timless classic and a good solid strong name.

randomimposter · 20/10/2010 22:10

have just happened upon Benedict (meaning blessing which if I'm lucky enough to have another baby it would be).... and would use NN Ned...

Ben is nice, a little meh perhaps.
Benny is Abba or Crossroads (showing my age).

said · 20/10/2010 22:28

It's classic, I think. My teen knows lots of Bens but my 5 year old doesn't so think it's slightly dropped out of favour. But still a timeless name. Benny is cute for a little boy. Like lots of y and ie names for boys (Johnnie etc)

Skyrg · 20/10/2010 22:31

I've only known a couple, both my age (twenties).
I see Ben as a bit boring tbh, purely because it is fairly common. I like Benjy, bit more interesting!
Ben10 is very popular atm though.

asdx2 · 21/10/2010 06:58

I have a Ben and there was only one other in his school (a Benjamin)I think it's dropped out of favour now tbh because I don't know any young Bens/Benjamins. Ds is now 21,I call him Benjy but no one else does.

Flossiebelle · 21/10/2010 08:03

I have got a 4 year old Ben (was nearly a Lucas. There is no other Ben's in his school nursery (out of 80) but 2 Lucas's. When he went to private nursery, he was the only one so don't think it is that popular. I love his name, it is such a traditional, strong, masculin name. He is just Ben by the way

TeaCrawledOutFromUnderRocks · 21/10/2010 08:16

I love the name but there are no less than 4 Ben's at DS's preschool, so if we do have DC2 and it's a boy, we won't use the name! But I do think it's a timeless classic that works for all ages, IYSWIM!!

TitsalinaBumPumpkin · 21/10/2010 08:19

I only know one Ben.

I like it.

WowOoo · 21/10/2010 08:19

There isn't one in ds's class.

I do know of two others but not half as popular as other classic names around here. It's lovely.

telsa · 21/10/2010 08:26

There is one in my DD's class, age 5/6. It is a timeless lovely name. There is a German name Benno - which I think is nice as a nn.

LittleMissWorryHead · 21/10/2010 09:16

I have a Ben (he won't let me call him Benjamin!) and he is 6 - there are LOADS of them in his school - so it is VERY popular among that age group anyway...

Fabulous timeless name though, we love it.

AbsofCroissant · 21/10/2010 09:18

I know lots of Bens, and think it's a wonderful wonderful name. All of them are wicked - timeless classic rather than boring.

duncandisorderly · 21/10/2010 09:21

I have a nine year old Ben and he is the only one in his year group at school. He gets called Benny, Benno, Benjamuffin etc.

Poshpaws · 21/10/2010 09:27

We have a Benjamin. We call him Ben,Benny- Ben, B.

He is 3 and I don't know any other Benjamins. I only know one Ben who is about 6, so no, I don't think it is as popular as it was. Having said that, when strangers hear me call him, they remark on what a good, strong traditional name it is

Komondor · 21/10/2010 10:40

I love the name Ben. I dont know any Bens under 28.

A classic.

FimboBBINGFORAPPLES · 21/10/2010 14:34

I know loads of Bens and I mean loads probably off the top my head at least 20 if not more all of varying ages from babies to grown men.

magnolia74 · 21/10/2010 14:40

We have a benjamin (nearly 4) he has a benjamin in his class but thats the only other i know. He is ben most of the time, benny boy, benJARmin when we are being silly and benjamin when he doesn't listen

Notquitegrownup · 21/10/2010 14:46

I have a Benjamin, aged 7. He's Ben most of the time, Benjamin in trouble, Benjy lots of the time too. Thought I was the only person ever to use Benjy as he watched lots of Engy Benjy when he was little, so I am amazed to find several others here. I swore he would never be a Benny (too vivid memories of Benny Hill here) but when he's tired, he calls himself Benny, and always has. ("Benny's very tired")

We only have two other Benjamin's in a school of 200+ . I love Benedict too, as a name.

HRHCavey · 21/10/2010 15:48

According to the Office for National Statistics the name Benjamin was 57th on the list of popular baby boy names in 2008, with 1,339 babies given that name.

In 2007 it was 14th on the list with over 3,600 babies given the name.

When you consider that the top 3 names generally have over 6,500 babies with the given name, it really is not that popular these days.

I love it, but I'm biased as DH is a Ben!

weblette · 21/10/2010 15:51

My 9yo Benjamin is one of three in his year - and they all happen to be in the same class. His class mates call him Benjy, one Ben the other Benjamin.

In my other childrens' years the name is far less common.

LouMacca · 21/10/2010 15:57

When I looked at the National Statistics list I seem to remember Benjamin and Ben being listed in their own right. As most Benjamins are refered to as Ben it is probably more popular than you think it is iyswim.

I do really like the name but I know 10 boys called Ben just off the top of my head.

PosieComeHereMyPreciousParker · 21/10/2010 16:15

I like Jams....

LilyBolero · 21/10/2010 16:51

We also call our B Benjamino (pronounced Ben-ja-meen-oh)

plonker · 21/10/2010 16:55

I know loads of Bens but I still think it's one of the best boys names out there!

Great name

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