Benjamin

[Joeylucy]

Does anyone have a Benjamin and do they automatically get called Ben? I love this name and do like Ben too but prefer the full name on a baby/toddler. Feel like people automatically shorten names. I also like Jacob but not too keen on jake. Thank you

I think if you se the full name as a baby people are more likely to stick with it. However, once he gets older school friends tend to apply nn anyway. I wouldn't associate jake as being a shortening of Jacob, they're two different names to me.

Yes that’s true although a nn would come along as they get older. Ah that’s good to know

My ds has friends, eg Christopher, Benjamin, Edward, Tobias, etc and most of their names have been shortened by their friends. Just sort of happens in year 7.

I think I’d expect it by year 7 just don’t think Ben is as nice as Benjamin on a baby ave toddler. Find boys babes really difficult especially as I’m not too keen on nicknames- just because my name has about 4 different versions so I get all sorts of names!!

Love the name Benjamin for a boy

It's not a given that polysyllabic names get shortened. I know two teenage Jonathans who are both called by their full names. They get the occasional John! or Jonny! at moments of urgency, such as playing sport.

The Benjamin's and Jacob's I know have become Ben's and Jake's by end of primary/start of secondary age. But I think when they are little the parent generally does have more control over insisting on the full name. If you are torn between the two names - I think Jacob is slightly less likely to automatically be shortened as it's only 2 syllables.

I know two small boys called Benjamin. One gets Ben and the other doesn't.

I have never known a Benjamin (or Benedict) who wasn't Ben, and I do know a lot of them... I don't know why because I know Dominics and Jonathans and Alistairs etc who get the full version, but Benjamin - never.

@partyatthepalace

I have never known a Benjamin (or Benedict) who wasn't Ben, and I do know a lot of them... I don't know why because I know Dominics and Jonathans and Alistairs etc who get the full version, but Benjamin - never.

Yeah I agree with this, you never hear Benjamin past primary school which is why I’m wondering about the name. Not sure why when I think it’s such a lovely name

I have a Benjamin who we chose to use the nn Benji for. A couple of people have called him Ben but I just corrected it to Benji which you could do the same for with the full name. I expect he'll be a Ben when he's older but I'm hoping to put it off while he's little!