Bento for a boy

[monkeygone]

OH is Brazilian and we live in Brazil. Bento is a very old Portuguese name.

Does it sounds ridiculous in English though? What with it being kind of almost the word "bent"?

As in a bento box? I suspect that he would just be a Ben in reality

And a kind of box?

If he's going to be raised in Brazil- probably not a problem. If you're planning to raise him in the Uk, don't call him Bento.

People might associate it with lunch-box, wouldn't they?

No matter though...if you like it.

It just makes me think of Bento boxes. But it's fine as a name I think.

Doesn't work in the uk I'm afraid

My first thought was Fray Bentos pies. That might say more about me than the name but I don't actually eat them so I suspect it's quite a strong brand link in the UK.

I thought of Bento box too - he might get the nickname of Box or Boxy or something.

There are worse things to be named after though!

In UK I'd think of Japanese bento box lunch and he'd probably be teased (I think they'll still have bento boxes in a few years time).

I thought of the pies

Wouldn't want him called Bent for short although I think that word is out of fashion - Ben is nicer.

Why not go with Ben - OK in both counties?

I would think of a lunchbox.

What on earth??

Goes to google bento lunchboxes

Is this something Japanese? I guess it's better than what I thought you'd all say about him being called bent!

Not for UK. Fine in Brazil!

As people have said, in the UK it is now a surprisingly well known loan word from Japanese.

If you must, just tell everyone you know in the UK that his name is Ben!

Makes me think of the Japanese bento box lunches too.

But if you live in Brazil and you're raising him in Brazil, does that really matter too much?

Yep, another one for a Bento box!

But if you live in Brazil and you're raising him in Brazil, does that really matter too much?

Not especially I guess. From the UK, it'll only really be my friends and family that will interact with him obviously, and I'm guessing they won't bully him about his name

I've never heard of these box things. And I only left a few years ago!

Only if you never come back to the UK

I would think of a Japanese bento too. Sorry OP.

If it's a traditional name in Brazil and that's where you live, I don't really see an issue though.

The diminutive (which I rather love) is Bentinho, so we could just use that in the UK.

It made me think of the pies... the pies that take forever to get into the packaging!!

This is the dictionary definition and what I presume most people will think of:

Bento (弁当 bentō ?) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento holds rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.

I guess if you are never coming back to the UK (or not planning to live in Japan!) then you'll be fine. My ex used to joke that 'Colander' was a nice name for a girl, made me think of that..or tupperware, flask...

Sorry, just to say, that wasn't meant to be mean - just better to say it than have people think it and not tell you (which is what I'd do IRL!) and presuming you came on here for honest opinions!? If you were set on it and did end up back in the UK then shortening to Ben always an option!

Bentinho/Behntino would be better from a UK point of view.

If you said Bento I'd automatically respond Box. Yes, it is that much of a thing here.