Benedict

[strawberrypenguin]

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.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I really like it but Ben is the dullest name in the world and he would probably end up as Ben.

[strawberrypenguin]

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies it's really helpfull. Hadn't considered the teasing angle but then kids can come up with those sots of things for most names/characteristics. Like the idea of Ned too btw jollster wouldn't have thought of that. Good to know that we at least shouldn't get too many 'you called your child what!' reactions

[mayanna123]

The Benedict I know was indeed teased with Bendy Dick, actually. Something to be aware of.

Regarding pretentiousness, a name is cannot be pretentious/posh/chav, only a person imo. And what one person regards pretentious another may find chav. So what if someone finds Alexander pretentious..that may be their opinion. Lots of people find our dd's name pretentious, I don't really care, because I know she is lovely how she is .

[TillyIpswitch]

Sorry, but I have to disregard the opinion of anyone who thinks Alexander is a pretentious name!!

It's as classic as classic can be and completely transcends class. I have no relatives called Alexander, so no reason to defend it.

I love Benedict (totally and completely agnostic) but DH, Irish Catholic, veto'd it with no discussion entered into.

[randomimposter]

It appeals to me as the "blessing" meaning would be very appropriate in my situation. I like Ned as a NN (I know all the Scottish issues with Ned btw), but Ben's ok too.

[sonniebonnie]

Lots of very classic latin or greek names are described as 'pretentious' by some mumsnetters - I too struggle to understand. But I guess everyone has different tastes and values.

[flamegirl77]

Sorry to go off topic but I'm confused by the idea of Alexander being pretentious, surely it's as classic as classic can be? - Granddaughter of an Alexander.

[peggyblackett]

I love it. If dc3 was a boy she'd be a Benedict. However sonographer pretty confident that I'm expecting dd2.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

My friend is a Benedict, has always been Benny. Again, catholic.

[A1980]

I like it. I know one Benedict and he calls himself Ben. Nowt wrong with that at school, work, etc.

[sonniebonnie]

That can easily become Bendy Dick amongst silly schoolboys .

[PorkChopSter]

I like it, and I like Bendy as a nn

[InstantAtom]

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

[Poshbaggirl]

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

[Poshbaggirl]

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!

[Lilyloo]

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

[PedigreeChump]

Oops, Cumberbatch not patch!

[PedigreeChump]

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.

[RnB]

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

[sonniebonnie]

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.

[LadyClariceCannockMonty]

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

[JaneH99]

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]

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.

[EssentialFattyAcid]

How about Benoit?

[FannyPriceless]

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.