Benedict

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.

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.

It's part of my name - hated it at first and wished it was Benjamin, but now I own the Benedict part of it.

I prefer this over Benjamin - it's nice and classy. Sure it isn't really suitable on a kid, but you can just use the nickname Ben instead.

Crisp and professional.

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.

Quite hideous. Way too articulate. I also dislike B names.

If you like the name Benjamin, but find it too popular, Benedict is a distinctive choice. It also shares the youthful nickname "Ben".

Sounds like 'bean addict'. Kind of funny.

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.

Ah, I adore this name. It's so classy. I think it would go well with a number of two-syllable middle names, my favorite combo being Benedict Misha.

I personally find the name Benedict really HOT. And it sounds very classy. :D.

Benedict is a great name. I much prefer it to Benjamin.

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.

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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.)

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.

I would like this name much more if it weren't for the Pope. Not because he's a pope, but because he's an awful person.

The religious connotations ruin this name for me.

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Other than that, it has a nice sound and is a good alternative to Benjamin.

I come from a family where many of us have served in the US armed forces, so no Benedicts. I was raised being told it's a pretty bad name.

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.

I always think of Eggs Benedict when I hear this name.

I like this name. I do not think this name is too much for a kid, it is just uncommon and takes someone special to bear it.

I prefer it with a k.

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).

I always think of Benedict 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.

This name has a very catchy sound to it.

I think it would be a good name for a cat.

If you live in the U.S., do NOT give your son this name as a first name. It has been ruined because of Benedict Arnold the betrayer.

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.