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Original poster

Benjamin or Robert and why

60 replies

PreemptiveFartSquats · 03/04/2018 18:09

Just wondering..

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

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Spaghettio · 03/04/2018 19:19

I have a Robert, but he's known as Bertie. (For complicated family reasons we didn't want to use Albert as the full name, so went with Robert). When he's older he can change it to Rob, Bob, Robbie or keep Bertie. It's a very versatile name!

catinapoolofsunshine · 03/04/2018 19:19

Robert is of its time though, and it's time was between 1970 and 1980.

Most Roberts are "dad" age. Its a contemporary of Clare and Sarah and perhaps Laura and maybe Tracy... For boys Robert, Richard, John, David and Andrew.

It's not timeless, its just not popular atm. Its a dad name not a grandad name really IMO. Too recent to be anything but stale.

Benjamin is a bit boring but less likely to be the name of 4 of his classmates dads but nobody else anywhere near his age. I

Maybe something else though.

FoofFighter · 03/04/2018 19:21

Benjamin.

I don't like Robert for personal reasons now but even before that was not a fan of it after hearing it pronounced without the T at the end. Robuh.

Weebo · 03/04/2018 19:24

Don't be snobby, Thick.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 03/04/2018 19:26

Eh? Robert has been a popular name since the Middle Ages, it certainly is not particular to the 1970s and 80s. My grandfather was called Robert (Bobby), and he was born 100 years ago. Robert the Bruce, Bobby Moore, Robert Redford, none of them 70s babies.

Awrite · 03/04/2018 19:32

I like both.

Prefer Ben to Benjamin.

Love, love, love Rob. Don't like Bob or Bobby.

Young me would have chosen Ben. Older, sophisticated me chooses Rob. Wink

catinapoolofsunshine · 03/04/2018 19:33

Yes, lots of names were popular a long time ago, but they go around in cycles. Jason isn't a new name historically but it is still a very 80s name...

There were absolutely loads of Roberts in the 70s and 80s. Get a bunch of men born in the 70s and 80s together and there are far more likely to be several Roberts, Richards, Andrews and Davids than there are in a group of boys of school age.

Most people who went to primary school in the 1980s will have had 2 Roberts in their class...

Awrite · 03/04/2018 19:34

Rob Lowe, Rob Stark.

lottiegarbanzo · 03/04/2018 19:34

Robert.

Benjamin is nice, Ben is nice.

Robert is far less fashionable at the mo (it is classic but has faded at the mo, along with Andrew, David, Stephen), so will stand out more, while being instantly recognisable to everyone.

Rob is a good name, Robbie is cute, Bob is an accomplished adult of the 1950s / 60s (e.g. Bob Hope) if not otherwise desirable, Bertie is well Victorian but, great-grandparent chic perhaps. Many possibilities.

fluffygreenmonsterhoody · 03/04/2018 19:35

I have a 7yo Robert (who’ll only answer to Robbie). I’m heartened by all the nice comments because I was a bit scared to click this.

I know a few Robbies and all v friendly/cheeky rather than thuggish!

It’s definitely not an ‘of its time’ name - DS was named after my 92yo grandad and shares it with my 68yo uncle. I also think This guy is a few years past 40...

Benjamin or Robert and why
TinoTheArtisticMouse · 03/04/2018 19:36

I like the suggestion of Bertie as a diminutive of Robert.
Prefer Robert to Benjamin because I hate Benji.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 03/04/2018 19:40

Robert Pattinson, Robert Capron, Rob Kardashian (hmm. Not really a recommendation).

DiegoMadonna · 03/04/2018 19:42

I prefer Benjamin. Just because.

haverhill · 03/04/2018 19:44

Ben is classic and cool. He’s good-looking and clever.
Rob is a serious chap, very kind and reliable.

IndominousRex · 03/04/2018 19:45

I like both, but prefer Robert. Both not too popular currently but classic, everyone knows how to spell them and pronounce them, suit all ages, plenty of different shortenings. What’s not to like?

haverhill · 03/04/2018 19:45

I like both names a lot btw! But Ben has the edge.

ToastyFingers · 03/04/2018 19:46

I'm not sure about either of I'm honest, they were very popular when I was a teen, about 10-15 years ago, so seem a bit dated to me now, much like Katie, Jade, Claire, Callum Jamie, Tom and all the other born in the 80s/90s names.

daisypond · 03/04/2018 20:05

I like both. I think Ben must be going out of fashion now - the ones I know are in their early 20s. And Robert will be coming in again - I don't know any younger ones at all. It is definitely a classic name.

Sophronia · 03/04/2018 21:45

Robert

chezmk1988 · 03/04/2018 21:46

Robert because it's not overly used, because I love older names and I adore the nicknames such as Bobby and Bertie x

Greggers2017 · 03/04/2018 21:54

Ben or Benjamin is nice but very meh! One of my brothers is a Ben and he says it's a lazy name.
Robbie is not thuggish, I'm almost wetting myself laughing at the thought. All the ones I know are like teddy bears!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 03/04/2018 22:26

Robert/Rob.

YoucancallmeVal · 03/04/2018 23:29

If dd had been a boy, Robert nn Bertie was one of my choices. Ben is lovely but it has travelled well and I know lots of all ages.

DarkRoomDarren · 04/04/2018 03:38

Like Benjamin, not keen on Robert, but really love Robin.

Thistlebelle · 04/04/2018 04:17

I like them both but prefer Ben to Rab (what he’d be called on Scotland)

On the other hand I know some great Rabs and Rabbies!