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Original poster

Theodore v Benedict

34 replies

HalcyonDaze · 19/02/2010 12:47

Two of our top contenders atm. We need a longer fn as our sn is only one syllable.

I was worried Theodore could potentially soar in popularity compared to Benedict but maybe that only applies to 'Theo' and he would definitely be Theodore on the bc nn Teddy.

Other names on 'the list' are Sebastian (but not keen on Seb, Baz or Bastian as nn's), Barnaby and Tobias.

I just can't decide! Are there any other nice but not overly popular boys names with 3 plus syllables that I'm just missing?

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MrsPixie · 19/02/2010 12:52

Both are lovely - I love your taste!
Prefer Benedict...

minipie · 19/02/2010 12:58

I'm in the one-syllable-surname boat too (well I'm not but DH is and apparently kids must have his surname ).

How about:

Alexander
Christopher
Benjamin
Maximilian
Frederick
Archibald (not v keen but Archie is nice)

On the other hand with some of these you end up with one-syllable nn's eg Ben, Fred, Max, Chris. Theo/Teddy has two syllables so possibly better...

How about some shorter names (two syllables) that don't have short forms, eg:

Felix
Miles/Milo
Arran
Austin

Lizzylou · 19/02/2010 12:58

I have a Benedict, he's the only one that we know.
I am biased, but it's a lovely name

I do like Theodore, but Theo, as you say is very popular (but still a lovely name).

I agree, you hav excellent taste

janeite · 19/02/2010 13:12

Oh you have all of my favourites here! Benedict and Barnaby win it for me though, followed by Tobias.

Thaddeus
Barnabas

mistlethrush · 19/02/2010 13:18

(Just a word of warning - we've just had the 'pleasure' of taking barnaby home from school for 1/2 term - he (well, in fact there are 4 of them!) is a bear that likes to be photographed doing interesting things in the school holidays. There is also an AWFUL children's TV program with a large bear called Barnaby - very [nausea] making - I would avoid Barnaby if you can)

I would choose Benedict slightly over Theodore, but both are nice.

janeite · 19/02/2010 13:21

Matthias

albinosquirrel · 19/02/2010 13:24

i like gabriel (gabe) - maybe nathanial (Nate/Nat?)

ChynaDoll2006 · 19/02/2010 13:28

Theodore nn Teddy, definitely

alittlebitshy · 19/02/2010 13:38

Benedict!
i like theodore but there are a lot, and it is one of those that is on the rise i think.

love Benedict. dd would probably have been Benedict!

mrsvwoolf · 19/02/2010 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IWillNotNeverEatATomato · 19/02/2010 14:19

I love both Benedict and Theodore, my cousins have these names.
however no one ever refers to them with the full name they are Ben and Theo

therefore if you want a longer name to go with a one syllable surname name you might be better off with a two syllable name which is much more difficult to shorten, like Miles (as someone else suggested)

You could shorten both your choices to two syllable nicknames and in this case I therefore would probably choose Theodore over Benedict as I prefer Teddy over Benny

PanicMode · 19/02/2010 18:48

I have a Theodore and so I'm biased - he is rising 6 so ahead of the popularity curve, but it does seem to be on the increase which I'm a bit about!

I had Benedict on our list for this one, but DH vetoed because of the papal connection, and he thinks Ben is a bit Meh....

I also would avoid Barnaby as although we had it on our list, the bear connection has put me off. DS1 was at a different school last year, and in both Reception and Y1 we've had Barnaby Bear home for the weekend.

PestoMonster · 19/02/2010 18:49

Theodore

lovely

AngryPixie · 19/02/2010 18:55

Theodore nn Teddy
I LOVE Teddy for little boys.

I was put off Benedict by a male friend who went through teenage hell being called Bendy Dick

zapostrophe · 19/02/2010 18:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

donnie · 19/02/2010 19:08

both lovely but Benedict is loveliest!

Rolf · 19/02/2010 19:22

Both gorgeous names. We have both in our family . FWIW, I probably know about as many Theodores as Benedicts.

Lizzylou · 19/02/2010 22:15

Would you believe it?
Another Benedict today in the swimming pool changing rooms, just when I was sooo smug that I had picked a less popular name

Thissideofchannel · 19/02/2010 22:21

The problem with both names is that they will inevitably shortened to

Ben

and

Theo

which is a shame imo. HAve you considered a 2 syllable name that may not be shortened, like Felix, Quentin, Milo, Adam etc.?

Thissideofchannel · 19/02/2010 22:23

By the way, we also have a short, one syllable surname. That is exactly why we chose a 2 syllable name that was unlikely to be shortened . It hasn't so far .

I honestly think that a 3 syllable name WILL be shortened, so bear that in mind.

Lizzylou · 19/02/2010 22:23

My boy is Benny
But I agree, I far prefer his full name to the shortened ones.
He is also Benny Badger if that helps?

Lionstar · 19/02/2010 22:24

Lovely names.

I also like Thaddeus as someone else suggested, but then I did meet a gorgeous Thaddeus once, nn Teddy crewing a yacht in the Med

CaptainNancy · 19/02/2010 22:28

Love them both!

janeite · 19/02/2010 23:22

Lion - I have never met ANYBODY else who likes the name Thaddeus.

Lionstar · 19/02/2010 23:33

LOL jane, lets have us a clique . And what's not to like about Thaddeus, tis a fine name.

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