James, Edward, or Benedict - suggestions welcome!

[TheGreyInThisCity]

It’s still early days, but I’m expecting baby number 2 and we’re starting to think about names. I think we’ve got a girl’s name sorted, but boys’ names are harder! Our DS’s name is Laurence, and we’re hoping to find something fairly classic but ideally not super common.

So far on our shortlist we have:
James (DH’s preferred)
Edward
Benedict

I also really like Alexander, Sebastian, and William, but we can’t use those as we have close relatives with those names. Any thoughts on the names we like, or any other suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

All lovely names. However, if you are looking for something a little more unusual then James may not be the best choice, it is, by some way, by far the most common boy's name in our daughter's peer group, probably at least twice as common as the next most popular.
However, this is just a small sample size based on children in our area who attend groups with our daughter, it may not be the case where you live.
Finally, though I understand it defeats the entire point of this forum and , indeed, my own comment, I would never ask anybody, whether that be family or friends or complete strangers on the internet, for thoughts on your putative baby names. It should be entirely you and your partner's choice. No name will ever please everyone and people's reasons for disliking a name are usually completely arbitrary and often irrational and should bear no weight with you.

Benjamin instead of Benedict

Weirdly I’ve only met one little James round here, it must vary across the country. That’s good advice though, thank you 😊

What about Edmund?

James and Edward are great. I like Alexander too.

Oh! Tobias is lovely.

Benedict will be extremely common soon, thanks to Bridgerton. Also, I agree that Ben's a dick is cruel bullying

Oh I love Benedict! And times have changed a lot with names these days, it's a lot less likely to be seen as an unusual take the mick name. I'd call him Benny for short.
James is a classic, but common.
What about Ryan? It was a popular name in the 90s but haven't come across anyone below 25 with the name in a long time.

I love all of them apart from Benedict which I think is horrid. All I hear is the dick in it.

My DS has spent 21 years living with the name Benedict and he’s never had a dick jokes aimed at him he says. Lots of other much worse teasing but no plays on the “dict” bit of the name. Not sure that’s going to be much of a problem in reality!

James, Edward and Benedict are all lovely names. I like Benedict best.

Other ideas:
Marcus
John
Leon

I know a Laurence Alistair and Daniel sibset and think they really go together

I like Tobias and Marcus which others have suggested.

I’ve also always liked Gideon, Noah and Jude

Benedict is fab

Edward is nice (nn Ned so you have Ned and Laurie). I agree you can't use Hugh.

Hamish?

Laurence and…

vincent
frederick
elliott
nicholas
christopher
walter
jasper
charles
patrick
sidney
ernest
douglas

Benedict of the three you have selected.

Benedict is so weak-chinned and wet. All the other names on your list are preferable.

Benedict is beautiful and strong.
Benedict James
Gregory James
Francis Augustine
James Columba
How about:
Aelred
Ambrose
Oswald
Thorlak

Wishing strength to all the poor buggers called Ambrose and Oswald 🙏

I have a James. It's a fabulous name. (Biased slightly)

All absolutely fine. Agree that Francis goes really well. Don’t both variations of Ben just get called Ben? Which seems a bit dull. So many Ben/Sam/Josh these days.

James.
Really dislike the others .

And THORLAK!!!

I love Benedict. I didn't end up going with it due to the dick sound, but it's a lovely name. I like Ben/Benny as well.

How about Edmund, Edgar, Edwin, Wilbur, Arthur