Love this name (and the nickname "Benny"), but as an American, my husband says he can't use this name because of Benedict Arnold. We're not even that patriotic... but vehemence against the ol' traitor runs deep apparently lol.
― Anonymous User 7/5/2024
1
Benedict, from my point of view, is one of those vintage names that deserves a second look from would be parents regarding this classic. One attribute that readily presents itself is how unique it can be amidst a sea of common names that are associated with other men. A handsome name for a boy to a man.
― Anonymous User 4/5/2023
8
Also Romansh: Source: "Vornamen in der Schweiz. Prénoms en Suisse. I nomi in Svizzera. Prenoms in Svizra" (1993) published by the Association of Swiss registrars Https://sursassiala.ch/2015/01/15/familienforschung/ Https://nossaistorgia.ch/entries/KEAVXNqGMNa Https://www.portraitarchiv.ch/portrait?page=66 Http://www.annalas.ch/persunas/display/q:Benedict
― Anonymous User 2/4/2023, edited 2/20/2023
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Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95 on 31 December 2022.
I love the sound of this name and the easily translatable Latin vibe -- bene "good", dict "word(s)", what an excellent meaning! Sadly this name had far too many religious connotations so I could not give it to a son.
― Anonymous User 6/29/2020
-4
Quite hideous. Way too articulate. I also dislike B names.
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch CBE is an English actor who is famously known for the title character in the TV show Sherlock and Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I will shed some light on being raised as an American "Benedict". It was horrible! I took an awful beating both figuratively and literally. While the occasional Benedict Arnold reference would be thrown my way, I was okay with that, and when people hear or see my middle initial is an "A" I sometimes get a look of disbelief! It was the dissection of syllables and double entendres that I endured that caused the most grief. Forty-ish years later and with a more hardened shell, I find myself giggling at the creativity that was dispensed at my expense during my youth. As I came into my twenties the heat cooled and I found some level of ownership in my name. Truth be told, women found the name somewhat charming and men who I respected found the name masculine and commanding. Upon meeting Reagan's Education Secretary and radio show host William Bennett who has an interest in unique names, he asked my first and middle name, I replied " Benedict Anthony", almost shocked and certainly approvingly his response was a resounding "Wow, that's strong!" I go by "Ben" yet do not run from my name as I did as a child and teen, I somewhat proudly proclaim the name. I make jokes about my misguided parents yet I find approval from most people. Some I know and have known like my name so much they address me by Benedict, I do not mind and take it as a sign of respect and a compliment. Many people assume my name is Benjamin, I politely correct them these days, something I never would've done as a teen praying they didn't find out my name was/is Benedict. I have found that geography plays a role in the acceptance of the name Benedict, non-Americans are rarely taken back by my name. When I say my name urbanites compliment, rural people respond "Come Again" and folks from NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Louisiana will ask if I'm Catholic. In closing, it's a brutal name for a child but one that I believe will make one stronger and more resilient. Anybody can be a Mike, Steve, Todd, Brad, Greg or Mark; it takes a special personality to pull off a Benedict.
Benedict Uchida (born Atsuto Uchida), is a football player. He plays for the German football team Bundesliga Schalke 04 football club and the Japan national football team.
I personally find the name Benedict really HOT. And it sounds very classy. :D.
― Anonymous User 8/8/2015
6
Actually, I think Benedict Arnold is treated too harshly and we should cut him some slack. I'm not saying it's nice to betray your country, but we were kinda jerks to him first.
Being Catholic, I think Benedict has a great namesake in the current Pope! (there were many Pope Benedicts in the past, but this pope is really changing modern Catholicism and is just well-beloved by many, for good reason) Since I am not American, I do not immediately think of the Benedict Arnold association and I would use this name for a future son in a heartbeat (for a middle name, though)! Another great modern day association is the actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who I am personally a huge fan of.I know several little boys named Benedict, and they all go by the nickname Ben, but I think the nickname Ned is also adorable, and very much underused. This name may seem rather heavy to carry, but I guess this is my naming style! For me, better this type of distinguished name with a great meaning and solid roots in history, rather than made-up trendy names. (Frederick, also rather heavy of a name, is another of my personal favorites.)
― Anonymous User 5/4/2014
4
This name also used in the Netherlands, though it's pretty rare. The pronunciation is BAY-nə-dikt.
Growing up, I knew a boy named Benedict who probably did not have the personality to pull it off, so that tainted my view of the name for a while, but I've recently come round to it. It has an old-fashioned charm to it and while the dic part is potentially problematic, it seems a shame to avoid such a classic name for that reason.
Benedict Martin Paul "Ben" Mulroney (born March 9, 1976) is a Canadian television host and is the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
I do think of Benedict Arnold when I hear this name, but for me the association doesn't even mean anything because it's so antiquated. My dislike of the name then, has nothing to do with the Benedict Arnold connection.
I do get a slight Benedict Arnold reference, and I'm not religious, so this is not a favorite of mine. It might be the Arnold thing, or just the name, but I don't really like it.
I love the name Benedict! I also like the nicknames Ben and Benny. Benedict is way better than Benjamin, though that's also a good name. In a story I'm working on, Benedict is the name of the main character, and he goes by Ben. I'm also writing a screenplay for my favorite fairy tale, "The Light Princess" by George MacDonald (just in my free time, because it's fun), and I gave the prince the name Benedict, because he didn't have a name in the fairy tale. I gave him that name because he's a really good guy, and Benedict means good and blessed and all that jazz.
There is a character with this name (spelled Benedick) in Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Benedick is talkative and witty. He vows never to marry because he believes a wife would cheat on him. He ends up getting married in the end to his former enemy, Beatrice.
I absolutely love this name, although it might be a bit much for a little kid - still there's always nicknames like Ben. My impression may or may not be influenced by the character Benedict from the Amber series, who was an amazing character, and the first Benedict I ever heard of (even before Benedit Arnold).
My cousin just gave Benedict as a middle name for her newborn son. Apparently she did it after the Pope himself, which is fine and all, but I'm not really a fan of the name. It's a little too much for a kid, even for an adult as well. I say, leave names like this for his holiness.
I spent a good deal of time researching the meaning of my name, and I found several different meanings - 'The blessed one', 'the blessing', 'well-spoken' and 'wishing well' are a few that I found. Whichever one is the one that the Romans intended it to mean, I'm proud of my name!
Mariej2, I LOVE this name, and I live in the US. I don't immedtiately think of Arnold, I think of the pope. And if I or others want to name their child Benedict because of the pope or maybe just plain liking the name, I think they should have that right.
Benedict Arnold is only a big traitor in U.S. history. Thomas Jefferson was a traitor to other countries- heck, America was founded on betrayal- but the U.S. makes him look worse than he is. The actual name is okay, just old-fashioned and not very suitable on a little kid.
Benedict Arnold was an amazing General. He is credited as "The Hero of Saratoga". That was before he turned into a turncoat of course. After he unsuccessfuly sold the secrets of West Point to the British, he served in the Royal Army. He lived a pretty pathetic life afterward, because nobody trusts a turncoat, especially one who didn't come to the British's side for love for the British Empire, no. He became a turncoat for money.
Benedict Arnold, officially the greatest traitor in American history. He was an able and at one point a celebrated war hero second only to George Washington, who he served under.
The common definition of Benedictus is "blessed," true, but it literally means "good speaker" or "good speech." This can refer to either one's diction or intent -- thus, Benedictus would be a name for an orator or else for someone who speaks truly. Benedict itself, though, has diverged and come to mean "blessed"; just as a derived name, Bennett, has diverged from Benedict, and come to mean "little beloved" or "small beloved".