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Baby names

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

Original poster

Benedict

37 replies

strawberrypenguin · 22/08/2011 13:27

Opinions please? The more I think about it the more I like it but i've never met any in RL so no idea how well it would be recieved iyswim.

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Psammead · 22/08/2011 13:28

I love it and would use it in a heartbeat, but DH vetoed it as being 'too Popey' Angry

Clockface · 22/08/2011 13:29

Much Ado About Nothing springs to mind! And Benedictine monks / liquer. I grew up in a church called St Benedict's, so I like it. Although my favourite boys' name is Duncan.

SenoritaViva · 22/08/2011 13:29

I think it's quite nice and I like the nn Ben. Disclaimer: I am 'posh' (in some people's eyes anyway) and so don't always have the best radar!

Ephiny · 22/08/2011 13:31

It is a very Catholic name to me - even aside from the Pope using it, I think of St Benedict, the Benedictine monks etc. Not sure if that's a good or bad association for you OP!

I do think it's a nice name anyway, with Ben as nickname if you like.

largeginandtonic · 22/08/2011 13:39

Lovely, lovely name. I would hate it shortened to Ben though. I knew a ver dishy Benedict once, he was always Benedict never Ben.

Mowlem · 22/08/2011 14:27

I really like it, but DH wouldn't let me have it as he said the boy would be called 'bendy dick'. The Benedict I knew at college wasn't ever called that, but maybe we were past that stage by then?

fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 22/08/2011 14:28

Eggs. Ben is lovely though.

WildHare · 22/08/2011 14:34

DH is a Benedict and I love it. It's unusual, yet everyone has heard of it, it's easy to spell, and can be shortened to Ben. The religious connotation is funny as his whole family are staunch Richard Dawkins-bashing atheists. His parents just liked the name!

WildHare · 22/08/2011 14:36

Oh and as to how it is received, he's known as Ben so most people don't realise.

Original poster
strawberrypenguin · 22/08/2011 15:13

Thanks everyone its useful to have a sounding board for these things, this naming lark is such a huge responsibility Grin I was aware of the Catholic connection although neither myself or DH are religious at all but I don't see it as a problem. DH suggested it a few weeks ago and its grown on me ever since.

OP posts:
CurwySwide · 22/08/2011 16:23

I really like it - also like Benjamin but Benedict is that bit more unusual. I would not shorten it to Ben as I think it is a great name in its own right.

birdofthenorth · 22/08/2011 16:26

I see it as super posh (but that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you are super posh already!)

FannyPriceless · 22/08/2011 16:32

I have considered this name at length. Three problems:

  1. The pope / catholic connection
  2. Kids definitely say 'Bendy dick'
  3. People think it is the name of the delightful character in Much Ado about Nothing. Fabulous, you say, I would love to have a son named after a hilarious Shakespearean accidental romantic lead. But his name is in fact Benedick, not Benedict. And I really couldn't do that to a child.
EssentialFattyAcid · 22/08/2011 16:37

How about Benoit?

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 22/08/2011 16:37

Beautiful name. I like it so much that I don't care about the religious connotations, and I am very much not a fan of religion. One downside for me would be that it's v likely to be shortened to Ben, which is an OK name but very common (as in popular, not plebbish!)
But it is gorgeous. Much better than Benjamin, IMO, which sounds a bit ... wet in comparison.

JaneH99 · 22/08/2011 16:56

Benedictus, Benedicat per Jesum Christum Dominum Nostrum (Blessed is He and may he bless [this food] through Jesus Christ Our Lord) to which the assembly responds Amen.

Three times a day I heard this prayer.

Then of course we have the Benedicitines' - hmmm. Not an Order I would want any association with.

Sadly it's not a name which positively resonates with me and it has the same pretentions as 'Alexander' which is only a smidge less pretentious than Tarquin.

Soz to all Benedicts' - but you had nothing to do with your names.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 22/08/2011 16:59

I really like Alexander as well Blush although I obviously draw the line at Tarquin.

sonniebonnie · 22/08/2011 19:04

Benedict would inevitably be shortened to Ben, which is a little dull imo (there are lots of little Bens around here).

Plus, it is indeed very catholic. That may or may not bother you.

RnB · 22/08/2011 20:24

My ds is Benedict - and I am not remotely religious! It's a beautiful classical name imo - go for it Smile

PedigreeChump · 22/08/2011 20:42

I absolutely love it. I think it's very classy, and the Benedict I know is lovely. Benedict Cumberpatch also a lovely advert for the name!

NB And love the Catholic-ness of it, but am aware that on MN this makes me a social leper. Wink

PedigreeChump · 22/08/2011 20:43

Oops, Cumberbatch not patch!

Lilyloo · 22/08/2011 20:43

I only know one and he is lovely , is actually another mnetters son

Poshbaggirl · 22/08/2011 21:07

My eldest brother is Benedict. He never had issues with stupid nicknames, we've always called him Ben.
We are a big posh (poor) catholic family though!

Poshbaggirl · 22/08/2011 21:09

Janeh99.....and my Dad was Alexander. No offence taken. Grin

InstantAtom · 22/08/2011 21:11

Quite nice, and prefer it to Benjamin as it sounds stronger somehow.