Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

If you heard a baby was called Benedict...

86 replies

noeyedear · 31/01/2011 11:07

would you think 'Pope'?

I like Benedict and Ben as a nickname. Like Benjamin, but DH thought Benedict was a bit more unusual.

I'm Catholic, but don't really approve of the Pope! I'm thinking he's well into his '80's so probably won't be a problem for long, but it's putting me off a bit!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Feegle · 31/01/2011 15:53

I love Eliza as well its my favorite girls name at the moment.

SameOldJollster · 31/01/2011 16:02

go Ned, go Ned! The only isshoo is north of the border where NED is not a good term. Don't know if that would put you off.

BTW my grandmother was Eliza, it's one of my fave girl's names.

evamummy · 31/01/2011 16:04

Love Eliza!

Not that keen on Benedict (have also heard Bendy dick before) and Ned and Ben are both quite common.

MrsvWoolf · 31/01/2011 17:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

belgo · 31/01/2011 17:14

I know a baby Benedict. Nice name. I did think Pope but that shouldn't stop you.

MackerelOfFact · 31/01/2011 17:27

I know an adult Benedict, he's just Ben.

Other than that, I also think of eggs.

If you like Ned, DS's middle name is Nederick. Appreciate it might not be to everyone's tastes though, although it has a sentimental family connection for me.

ValiumSandwichTime · 31/01/2011 18:02

no I wouldn't. I like Popes' names though.

Firawla · 31/01/2011 18:53

i would think they like Ben but wanted something more uncommon than Benjamin

duchesse · 31/01/2011 19:02

I have a 17yo Benedict (goes by Ben at school, as did the only other child one I ever met), but am hoping he reverts to Benedict when he's older and wiser. No-one says pope although many people have called him Dominic by mistake over his life. Also know a 4 yo Benedict who was named for the pope.

duchesse · 31/01/2011 19:06

ps: there's also Ben(n)et as a nn which I think is quite cool. Am kicking myself we used Bene which sounds like Benny.

CockneySparra · 31/01/2011 19:07

I wouldn't think 'Pope' either.

Think it's a really lovely name, although have to be honest/boring - I prefer Benjamin!

weimy · 31/01/2011 19:37

even thogh spelt dif I think of Shakespeare too.

BelligerentGhoul · 31/01/2011 19:42

Nope I wouldn't think 'pope' - I would just think that it's a gorgeous name.

SecretNutellaFix · 31/01/2011 19:44

No, I think of the name's meaning, which is Blessed.

It's a fabulous name, rarer than Benjamin and Ben, but still mainstream as it were.

Feegle · 31/01/2011 20:47

duchesse someone over in primary ed was asking for your help with local schools.

Jux · 31/01/2011 20:53

No. My uncle's called Benedict (Ben); it's a really strong name.

ZZZenAgain · 01/02/2011 09:43

I din't think of the Pope first. I thought of Benedict of Nursia (but I studied this stuff so I suppose I would...) and some Benedicts I know but I don't know very many - just 2.

LilyBolero · 01/02/2011 09:46

I would - I much prefer Benjamin!

noeyedear · 01/02/2011 10:51

Decided to look up St Benedict before showing this thread to my DH, and he seemed like a good fella. I couldn't have Xavier for my first son because St Francis Xavier went around killing people for not converting to Catholicism in the 15th Century, so I thought I'd better be sure!

OP posts:
Jux · 01/02/2011 11:00

Simon? Another strong name.

noeyedear · 01/02/2011 11:07

Simon's nice, but already spoken for!

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 01/02/2011 13:18

Wouldn't think pope and I'm a practising Catholic :)

duchesse · 01/02/2011 16:15

feegle- can't find the thread- can you remember what it's called?

sadisticlies · 01/02/2011 16:17

It is unusual, and to be honest, the first thing I thought of was the pope. =\

Benjamin is a nicer name anyway I think.

McDreamy · 01/02/2011 16:17

We had this exact discussion when DS was born. The Pope had just been elected. I didn't want Benedict as I immediately thought Pope, and much preferred Benjamin, DH wanted Benedict (not because of Pope). We couldn't agree but we agree that whichever one we chose he would be known as Ben so we decided to call him just that. Ben!