Benjamin or Robert and why

[PreemptiveFartSquats]

Just wondering..

(Personally I'm not too bothered about popularity so long as a name isn't too "trendy" or "of its time")

Both nice bit I think I prefer Robert because I like Rob / Robbie more than Ben / Benny/ Benji.

I have a Robert who’s now 31. He’s been Robbie, Bobbie and now Rob. It’s a versatile name that I personally like, of course. Not sure how popular it is these days though. It was quite unusual when he was a child in the area where we live. I like The name Ben, not so keen on Benjamin, or Benny, reminds me of the guy in the wooly hat, who was in Crossroads?

Robert is my favourite.

Benjamin, because I knew a Robert who was rather frightful.

I really love both. I think I prefer nn Ben to rob though.

Robert is in the top 100, it's good and translates well in all languages.

Robert because Ben is the most boring name in the world.

You could end up with a Bob, though.

I think Robert is a good, strong, manly name, a classic.
Benjamin, will always remind me of Benjamin Bunny, not a bad thing, but I do like Ben.
Robert would be my choice, for sure.

Robert

Really cool, can be Rob and Robbie.

Ben is nice as well though.

I like both but Robert has the edge for me. It's classic, everybody recognises it, but not too over-used at the moment. Only one way to spell it, lots of short forms but not too long to use in full if he prefers. I'm not that keen on Bob/Bobby (although they're unlikely to be used anyway unless you specifically request it, as they sound a bit dated now), but Rob, Robbie and Robert all sound like someone nice and friendly and straightforward to me.

Interesting that Robert is coming out on top and people seem to like Robbie too. TBH my main concern was that Robbie would be used as a nn and it sounds a bit.. thuggish to my ears (apologies to any mum's of Robbies). What do you guys think of Bob or Robin as a nn?

Robert, I’ve always liked it. Ben is a bit boring.

Never liked Robin - Robert much stronger.

Like both but prefer Ben because most of the (many) Bens I have known have been nice! Do like Robert and most shortenings but sounds a bit clunky/stodgy and don’t like Bob.

Actually some DC I know could probably rock the name Bob!

I love Robert. It's a good solid name with nice NNs

I love Ben(jamin) and its we will use if we have a son. Great name. Don't mind Robert but particularly like Ben.

I don't like Robert, Robbie, Bob or Bobby.
Hence I'd pick Benjamin.

Baby Bob.

It just doesn't sound right to me. :o

Robin is nice.

I prefer Benjamin

I love Robert- I have a Robert who is 3.
We decided his nn would be Bob which I think is a great name, but children his own age tend to call him Bobby which I’m not as keen on though I think this will probably change to Bob/Rob as he gets older. In fact it’s a very flexible name - can be Robert/Rob/Bob or even Bertie!

I have a cousin Robert in his early 20s who goes by Robbie and is about as far removed from thuggish as you can get, he’s really arty and creative. I think he got the NN because his mum was big a Robbie Williams fan who was in his heyday when my cousin was little

I like both Robert and Ben though, can’t say I’ve met any small Roberts recently although I know a few Bens.

Bob is beyond awful.

Dustman Bob.

Unemployed Bob.

Also the only Bob or Bobbys I know are called James, as in Jim-Bob. Which sounds really hick-like but both Bobby-short-for-James that I know are public school educated!!

I like both, but prefer Robert. I don't even mind Bob!