Ben or Felix?

[Penguin13]

DC2 due imminently and thought we had decided on Ben as our option if it's a boy but in the process of finding a middle name Felix came up as a possible first name. I really like the name and meaning (lucky) and was worried Ben was too common a name but a bit wary that he would sound like a cat! Also DD has a name beginning F and wondering if it would sound a bit much a la 'topsy and tim' especially since our surname also begins with F!

Felix is great and Ben is ok but it's so boring in comparison. There are no boys called Felix at my school but there seem to be a million Ben's! I have a really popular name (top 10) and was one of four in my class at school and I wished I had a less popular name so I could be more individual.

My rabbit is called Benji which is rather lovely...

Ben, as in Benedict is lovely. Felix just doesn't do it for me.

Another vote for Ben. I only know one in real life :-)

I personally prefer Ben by miles. But go for Felix if you are leaning that way. I wouldn't let the F issue (DD name and surname) put you off.
It doesn't make me think of cats either.

The only possible issue is whether you might have another child in the future and might then feel the need to use F again.

Ben, good solid name.

Thanks for the input everyone, interesting to hear the spread of opinions which was inevitably split I guess given the nature of opinions!

If I were to be pedantic (which I generally am ) I would point out that a quick Google reveals Felix has been in popular usage in England since the middle ages which I'm fairly sure pre-dates the cat food

I actually think I am leaning towards Ben as all the Ben's I have known have been friendly, lovely guys and it's a nice, solid name. I have heard of pets called pretty much most things from Gerald to Oscar so that doesn't really bother me in the end just gut feel I guess.

Ben, by miles. I only know really nice ones too - and not that my sample is huge (a whole 3 people ) none of them are rough and all 3 are smart as well as kind.

There's a cat food called Felix? Never heard of it, but then I'm not a cat person.

I like both but prefer Felix.

Felix. Love it and it means happy and lucky. Ben is very dull imho.

Ben
Really lovely name, solid and strong and I don't know any little bens, just a couple of lovely adult ones.

Ben

My DS is Benedict, shortened to Ben. Lots of people assume he's a Benjamin. Are you thinking of giving him a full name or putting the diminutive on the paperwork? Just interested as I always think it's better to have the full name later in life. I guess that's an old fashioned opinion!

Love Felix.

100% Ben. Ace name

100% Felix. Love the name. Ben is... meh. Might as well call him Dave or Mike.

Ben. I buy Felix cat food!!

I love Felix...

Felix. Love the meaning and the two Felixes I know are cool.

Ben = name of my dog & overused and dare I say, a bit dull for naming a human

Felix = cat food but a bit more interesting for human naming, but likely to garner some ribbing at school.

Sorry.

Felix

I like both but prefer Ben nn. for Benjamin which I love 😊.

Personally I wouldn't use the same initial for 2 of my children...unless you have 4+ children and they're not next to each other in birth order...

Felix is too associated with cats. Ben is a bit plain.