Benedict William and unfortunate nicknames?

[Peregrin]

Baby boy is due any time soon and DH is having second thoughts on the name. We'd kind of agreed on Benedict, as one of the few names neither of us objected to (though not keen on shortening to Ben or Ned), it sort of works in the various languages in the family, and we like its meaning.

However, there is a campaign underway now in favour of William. We actually both really like the English version of the name, and both his parents and mine love it much more than Benedict. Problem is: 1) I dislike the equivalent name in my mother tongue, 2) William sounds more English than Benedict and since neither of us were born English, I fear we would look like we are trying too hard.

I could propose William as the middle name and let everyone pick their favourite of the two when addressing the child, but I can't banish "Bendy Willy" from my mind! I don't want people snickering behind his back throughout his life (though we do live abroad for now and the locals would probably not think of these nicks).

Thoughts?

Every Benedict I have ever known (not many, granted) have been known as "Bendy Dick". William as a middle name is unlikely to be an issue as kids don't tend to know each other's middle names.

Don't you like Benjamin? I prefer that vastly to Benedict.

I have a Benedict. No problem at all. I love the name. Obviously

Bendy Willy didn't occur to me. Not fond of William though as I always shorten names!

I thought 'Bendy Willy' when I saw the title of this thread. But most people are probably more mature.

Oh dear I thought bendy willy too.....

Little boys will call Will/William Willy, it is inevitable imo.
I've heard Bendy Dick for Benedict too, so agree its not the best combination, sorry.

Lovely names! Go for it.

Thank you for the input!

mysticminstrel, I do prefer Benedict to Benjamin.

Baby still cooking, name yet to be decided. :)

I came up with my ds2's name in hospital after chatting to a midwife and copied the name she called her son, which is pretty cool! You never know what you will come across...

Individually, both names are unfortunately quite teasable
Benedict = Bendy Dick
William = Willy
So I really wouldn't put them together!

I know 2 Benedicts they are both called Benedict no Ben Ned or Bendy Dick's

I have a friend Benedict, mid 30s. He is known as Ben, in fact a lot of people that have known him for years don't even know his full name is Benedict (always assume Benjamin). I have known him for over 10 years, I only found out his name was Benedict 7 or 8 years ago, and liked the name when I found out, it suits him a lot more than Benjamin would considering his age. I must admit Bendy Dick has never occurred to me, but now you mention it, he may get his leg pulled a little at the next pub quiz!

Could you add in another middle name perhaps before William to make the association less obvious? Not Richard :)

Ha, ha, Bendy Dick - now will always think of this when I hear Benedict.

Willy is, probably, an inevitable nickname for William at some point on the school playground.

I like the name Benedict - have never thought / heard of it being referred to as Bendy Dick though can definitely see it now and it does put me off!

When I saw the title of your thread I did think Bendy Willy though (strange!)

They are both really common names and will end up as Ben and Will, they won’t get teased. (I must know a dozen Benedict’s, and have never heard Bendy dick in my life.)

If you are worried about the combo just stick something else between them.

But the main thing OP is it’s for you and your partner to name this baby. And no you cannot allow people to pick either name - the poor baby will be completely confused!

Decide what first name the two of you want and stick with it. Add middle names to manage family politics if you want.

I think it’s not the best combination. A filler middle name between the two might work.

Bennett William?

I had never thought of Bendy Dick before, but I now always will 😆
Any other names you like?
I certainly don't think having William as a 1st name is too 'English' either.

Really think that your opinions are the only ones that matter - if you're not sure about William then don't be swayed by the grandparents opinions?

I like the name but it will get shortened to Ben so if you don't like that then think again? Agree with the poster saying wait until he's born - a whole new name might spring to mind!

Same, if I'm honest.

Keep Benedict and lose William!

All Benedicts I've known got called Bendy Dick at some point

And Williams Willy.

So not, really not a good combination!

I don't think they are. I'm not anyway

Im actually wondering whether the op is a wind up..?!

I wouldn't put them together if you're worried about this, or else add another name in between (not Richard, Jock, Percy or Peter). I know Benedicts and Williams and am not aware of any Bendy Dick/Willy stuff but then maybe I wouldn't be. But if it's on your mind it will stay on your mind.