See the results of this poll: Benedict or Bennet(t)?
Respondents: 63 (This poll is closed)
- Benedict : 22 (35%)
- Bennet/Bennett: 41 (65%)
I adore [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], this spelling. I am not fond of [name_m]Benedict[/name_m].
2 "t"s [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] looks more finished to me. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] by itself will always conjure up [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] [name_m]Arnold[/name_m] to me.
Both are very nice. I prefer [name_m]Bennet[/name_m] only because I’m partial to two syllable names. Either one would be a great choice, however it seems like [name_m]Bennet[/name_m] has more meaning for you personally. I think I prefer two t’s because it gives it a fuller, more complete look when written. As to whether it is too surname-ish, I think that would depend on what surname it will be paired with. Some go really well with surname-names, some dont…
I like both. I voted for [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] because it feels more like a name than [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] does (I’d spell it with two ts). [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is too much of a surname for me. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] is adorable and not overly used. I love it.
Since you aren’t in [name_u]America[/name_u], [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] would work and I think it would be cute. I prefer [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] with two Ts.
Edit: By America, I meant the US and its connection to Benedict Arnold. Sorry if anyone was upset by my use of America in that context.
[name_m]Bennet[/name_m]/[name_m]Bennett[/name_m] got my vote. Prefer with two T’s. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] is extremely handsome as well. ;]
As the mother of a [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], I am biased. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] is too egg like.
I think [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] has more substance to it. Despite Cumberbatch it still rings heavily Catholic to me though. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] is stately while [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is sporty. I’m not sure which vibe you prefer?
While I adore [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] Cumberbatch, I’m not a fan of the name [name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. It seems harsh, and I immediately think of [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] [name_m]Arnold[/name_m], which is obviously not a fun association. I love all of your reasons for [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] and I think it’s an adorable name. The two-T spelling looks way better than one-T. A friend has a three-year-old named [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] and it’s really grown on me as a first name.
They’re both lovely but I prefer [name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. It feels more complete to me and I think it has a slightly nicer sound. I also really like the nickname [name_m]Ned[/name_m] for [name_m]Benedict[/name_m].
Ahhh! I don’t know! I love both. But I guess Bennet (one T for Pride & Prejudice :)), as Benedict’s a GP for me (not for the reasons you might think :p). Bennet I don’t think is too surnamey like most son or Mc-/Mac- names for example.
Both are great names, but I much prefer [name_m]Benedict[/name_m], as it has the potential nickname of [name_m]Ned[/name_m].
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. I also really like [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] ([name_m]Bennet[/name_m] looks wrong to me) but it doesn’t have the oomph that [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] has to me.
I’ve been going back and forth on this one as well.
I think I’ve finally settled on preferring [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] (despite [name_m]Arnold[/name_m] and the eggs!). I love that it’s a real name (not a surname) and I adore the meaning (blessed/blessing).
[name_m]Bennett[/name_m] was at the top of my list for a long time (also partially for P&P), but I don’t like the spelling variations ([name_m]Bennet[/name_m] feels like bonnet and also a bit unfinished), and for whatever reason the -net ending sorta throws me off.
I’m hoping it will grow in popularity and be more familiar to people without the traitorous connection so I can use it if I ever have a son.
I actually knew someone whose maiden name was [name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. It’s apparently rank 1965 in surnames according to the US Census, surprisingly more common than the surname Michaels. I don’t know if [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] will ever lose that association; I think the damage he could have caused has been too deep a wound for people to forget. However, I do find it funny that according to wikipedia “The house where [name_m]Arnold[/name_m] lived at 62 Gloucester Place in central [name_u]London[/name_u] bears a plaque describing [name_m]Arnold[/name_m] as an ‘American Patriot’”.
I’d choose [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] in a heartbeat! I think it’s dashing, familiar but not ordinary, and just a good solid name. [name_m]Bennet/name_m is cute, but just falls under trendy-surnames-as-first-names category to me.
I like that [name_m]Bennet/name_m is meaningful to you because of [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u], but I don’t think anyone else would make that connection unless you pointed it out. I would just assume you liked the surnames-as-first-names trend and thought it sounded cute unless you actually explained that it was a literary connection for you. I think [name_u]Darcy[/name_u] would be a much better [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] connection, it doesn’t have the trendy quality that [name_m]Bennet/name_m does and is much more obviously literary (to me, at least.)
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m] is much more of a first name to me, and it has a really nice meaning. Yes, it can be a last name, but so can [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]…it’s got a very solid history as a first name. I’m in the US but I don’t see the big deal about the [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] [name_m]Arnold[/name_m] connection, no one would actually think you named your kid after him and no one ever talks about him outside of sixth grade history class. Plus, the [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] Cumberbatch celebrity is really refreshing the name.
Interesting, I’ve never heard of it as a surname, though it’s certainly not as well known a surname as [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]. Almost anything can be a surname I suppose so I guess I mean more that it doesn’t have the immediate association. [name_m]Graham[/name_m], [name_m]Albert[/name_m], [name_m]Arnold[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_u]Elliott[/name_u], [name_u]Morgan[/name_u], [name_u]Reid[/name_u], etc. are all surnames but they don’t feel like surname names. I would say it’s the same for [name_m]Benedict[/name_m].
And I’m not sure about it being “too deep a wound for people to forget”. I know he was a traitor but I don’t know the details of his crime. I bet if you asked the average American on the street they wouldn’t even recognize the name, or wouldn’t recognize him as a villain. Is it even taught in schools anymore? Honestly, I think the eggs benedict association would be the stronger one for most people.
I thought it was interesting too, it’s a more common surname than I expected. It’s possible that he’s not taught anymore, although I’d be pretty shocked if they talked about the Revolution and not him. However, I’m far removed from Elementary, Middle, and High School so I have no idea what is still being taught (especially with the emphasis on testing over everything else).
It may also be reflected from the area I was raised. Being around military bases, areas that still have historical homes of those from the Revolution, and having our classes take us to battle fields for field trips may have resulted in more time spent on the subject than other parts of the country. You are likely correct. I probably am assuming that people are probably more knowledgable about a subject than what is actually the case.