I'm a southerner and I've heard of Bede, though I know nothing about him. Will go and google now! Although it's not a name I would choose, it's actually quite nice.
I never get the problem with having to tell someone how to spell names forever. I have a very common name, but it's got quite a few different spellings so I have to spell or correct it every time I tell someone new my name.
And I'd rather they asked than guessed and guessed wrong.