Would you register this name as a name in itself or is it a NN?

[smelltheroses]

Do you think Ben is a name in it's own right or would you register a longer version of the name i.e Benjamin, Benedict etc...
Thanks

I prefer the name Ben to any of the longer versions but our daughter has got a long 3 syllable name and I thought the two names would not go well together - before anyone shouts at me about them being individuals, I realise this but it is just somthing that I am considering

I prefer formal names to nn as first names.

I'd register Benjamin. I like the idea of a nickname being used affectionately, as well as a more formal full name. If you register just the nickname then that distinction disappears.

i'd register Benedict x

Dn is registered Ben but is often called Benjamin anyway- even by family members!

I'd register a longer name, personally. The child (or grown man) can always choose to be Ben. If he's 'only' Ben he can never CHOOSE to be Benjamin/Benedict/Bennett/Benoit/Bentley/whatever

Benoit is rather nice! x

I would register a long name, we did register the short name for our son Teo ( who is Theo in English) but everytime people ask him, especially in Italy if it is short for Matteo or something else. He is only 4 but I can see it starts being annoyed by the question. We are having a daughter now, so you are going to make sure not to repeat the same mistake....
Even if Ben could probably be a name in his own rights. Personally I prefer Benjamin out of all the choises.

My ds is registered Ben as I don't like the longer versions anyway. He was pleased when at school they insisted on their formal names because the other two "Bens" were always referred to as Benjamin a name they never used.

I'd register Ben. Then nobody can ever call him the longer version etc. It is a good name on it's own.

I think its a name in its own right so go with what you really like I think x

Thanks for all your feedback. I think we will just stick with Ben. I do usually like longer versions of names but not so much with this particular name but love the shortened version. He will end up being called Ben anyway

Personally I'd register the longer version, he might prefer it when he's older

I like Reuben better and it can have the nn Ben too at a stretch.

I never get people who name a child a particular name with the intention of using a nickname.

If you're going to call him Ben then call him that.

Love,love,love Reuben though.

I'm a bit odd: I can't formally register nicknames. It has cost me in terms of names that I have chosen my children. I might like the shortened version, but if I don't like the long version (Benjamin being one example, Matthew another), that's it, out it goes. It's a burden.

Plenty of people have no problem with this sort of thing: be one of those and chose the name and the form of the name you like!

personally i'd go for benjamin and use ben as a nn. then when he misbehaves you can do the whole 'benjamin!'

My DS has a short form and it's fine. I see short forms of names as fine and different to nn. I see nn as Shaz, Daz etc rather than shortened familiar forms of names. I much prefer Ben, not too keen on Benjamin.