Benjamin

[molly84]

We have an Oliver.....what are your thoughts on Benjamin for his brother? If not why not, and what would you suggest instead? We like strong English 3 syllable names that can be shortened. Nothing too unusual. Thanks for any suggestions.

I really like Benjamin.

Other possibilities: Anthony, Gregory, Jeremy, Simeon, Solomon?

I have a Benjamin, known as Ben. I love it. (Also have a Samuel known as Sammy.)

I love Benjamin and not so popular now either. A timeless name but also very cute.

I have a Benjamin who is still a Benjamin to me but his friends at school call him Ben or Benji
I knew when we called him Benjamin that it would probably be shortened so we are totally fine about it.

Thanks everyone. Think it's going to be between Benjamin and Samuel?? x

Ooh. Both gorgeous names. I would sway towards Benjamin - but only because I have a cousin I adore and also a great friend called Benjamin. Love Samuel too. It would've been on my list of boys names but BIL called his son Sam. Which I don't like.

It's so nice to have a thread with non wanky names btw.

Thanks stinkersmum. I think I do prefer the nickname Ben to Sam if I'm being totally honest, but good to have two names to decide on....we'll see which suits him.

I love Benjamin, but then my DH, lovely BIL and one of my oldest friends are all Benjamins so I may be a little biased!

I have a Benjamin. He became a Benny quite unintentionally. We thought it would be Ben. But then he's only nine months. If I have my way he'll still be Benny at 30 :D

You could be really greedy and call the baby Benjamin Samuel. I'd be dead jealous

I like it.

I've said before on here - whichever name you choose will get criticised on here for either being boring, pretentious or chavvy. Just go for a name you like - Benjamin is a perfectly good name (unless your surname is Dover)

I think Benjamin is fab

And, fwiw, it doesn't mean favourite son, it means "son of the right hand". Benjamin in the Old Testament wasn't killed by his brothers, either: he was sold into slavery and became rather fab and important in Egypt

spot the Biblical scholar

I thought that was Joseph, pasbeaucoup.

I love Benjamin. Not keen on Samuel or Sam.

I have a Ben, it's a strong name for a wonderful boy imo.

I've got a Benjamin and an Oliver. We liked it because as he grows he can be Ben, Benji or Benjamin and isn't stuck with a name he doesn't like.

I have a Benjamin and a Samuel. I like the way that they can be shortened in more than one way - Ben, Benny, Benji (Jam - probably just us..), Sam, Sammy (Jam again - need to rethink some of my nicknames!!)

Thanks all. We've already got a middle name (family name) so can't be Benjamin Samuel unfortunately! Appreciate all the comments.

I was wrong about the Bible reference, sorry.
I thought my second language was getting in the way of my interpretation, so I went to my 1960s edition of the OED to check.

Thanks for checking!