Will Benedict immediatly be called Ben?

[EtsyObsessed]

That's it really. I Love the name Benedict (Mainly because of Benedict Cumberbatch) but know too many Bens. Is it impossible to just have a Benedict?

My ds has a friend called Benedict. As far as I know no one has tried to shorten it yet, but he is only 8 and I am guessing he might get a nickname as he gets older? I also know young Catherines and Alexanders and again no one shortens them - I think people mostly go with the parents' wishes when the dc are young.

DS has a friend called Ben - I only recently found out that he was Benedict.

I honestly think that nicknames will always be used, and unless you start with an alternative, he will inevitably become Ben.

Ned?

Better that than Dick...

I have a Chloe that is already a 'Clo' to her friends - and she's only 5!

If Ben would bother you maybe it's not the best choice.

Personally I like Ben :)

We used DS2's full name (and still do), but when he started primary school he (and all his mates) went down to one syllable shortenings of their names (according to DS because it was easier to shout a short name in the playground when passing the football to a friend ) - so we had Fred, Tom, Chris, Ed etc.

Because the shortening of DS2's name also works for another name, people assume his long name is the other one (in the same way that a Ben could be a Benjamin or a Benedict). I find that more irritating than the shortening

Yes. It will.

A relative of mine is a Benedict. He's been Ben to his nearest and dearest for most of his childhood but on taking up a career in the arts now uses Benedict. If he'd been an accountant perhaps he'd have stuck with Ben. I rather like the versatility of that.

(And no he's not Benedict Cumberbatch)

There's always Ned? Quite like that as an alternative nn if you're very anti-Ben.

Actually I see the additional option of using Ben as an advantage. I've always loved Benedict (even pre-Cumberbatch!) but it is quite heavy-sounding - a bit of a 'statement name' - and I think the full form works better in certain contexts than others (see Jennifersrabbit's comment above). The fact that it can be shortened to an informal, workaday nickname means that Benedict/Ben can fit in anywhere.

I don't know why but I just cannot get the name Benedict to roll off my tongue. I have to say it Ben-a-dict really slowly like that otherwise I get all tongue tied. So if I had a pal with a name of Benedict, I would call him Ben.

You can call him Ned at home, but I'll bet the farm that anyone who knows him as Benedict will shorten it to Ben.

If you dislike Ben then don't pick Benedict, it is inevitable that some people in his life will call him Ben.

Benedict is a great name. But being 3 syllables, may well get shortened to Ben, which I agree is a little dull/overused.
Perhaps you can find a 2 syllable name you love - that's less likely to get shortened.

My brother is called Benedict. My mother was adamant it would not be shortened!!
The school happened and now everyone calls him Beno!
It is a lovely name .

FWIW I know a charming grown-up Benedict who is never Ben.
I think he has had to do a little gentle enforcement though.

I know two Benedicts. One is always Ben, the other is never Ben. Really depends on a person.

I don't think it's inevitable. I am a teacher (secondary) and have a total mix of kids who shorten their names and kids who don't. Joshua, Cameron, Christoper, Albert, Harrison, Thomas etc etc. Of those, we have some who are Josh, Cam, Harry, Tom and some who are not. Same with girls - I teach 3 Elizabeths - one Lizzie, one Beth and one Elizabeth.

Benedict is a fab name.

The one who married into my husbands family is known as Ben, or Eggs.