This is my very first post – probably because I know I’m at least a year plus out from TTC.
BUT, yesterday marked the first real baby name conversation with my husband in our six years together (what took us so long, right?). And while I found myself somewhat broken hearted about his reaction to the girls names I’ve been envisioning for my future daughters for, I don’t know, the last decade, we were much more aligned on the boys name front. This is probably because he told me nearly 6 years ago that he always wanted his father to have another “[name]Nathan[/name]” (full name [name]Nathan[/name]), his Grandfather’s name. While I, always wanted my Mom to have another “[name]Ben[/name]”, my Grandfather’s name (full name [name]Benedict[/name]).
And so, if you could please help me to rank these combos based on your preference. Our surname is one syllable, starts with “G” and rhymes with “[name]Dean[/name]” (enough of a hint?):
I would probably go with their actual names [name]Nathan[/name] [name]Benedict[/name]. [name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] sounds nice, though, and it slightly changes both names, so I guess that keeps it fair. Haha! I prefer the nn [name]Ben[/name] to [name]Nate[/name], but I don’t think the names flow as well with [name]Bennett[/name] or [name]Benedict[/name] first.
I love [name]Bennett[/name] and [name]Nathan[/name]. I’d probably limit [name]Benedict[/name] to use as a middle name because of the historical connection to [name]Benedict[/name] [name]Arnold[/name].
I prefer [name]Nathaniel[/name] and [name]Bennett[/name], but they just don’t sound quite right to me. [name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name] has the right flow and feel to it. It is not common, but still familiar. Strong and soft at the same time. The two names pair well.
I prefer [name]Nathan[/name] to [name]Nathaniel[/name], and I have no preference between [name]Bennett[/name] and [name]Benedict[/name]. If you’re honouring two people in one name, I’d either stick to the orignal names ([name]Nathan[/name] [name]Benedict[/name]/[name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathan[/name]) or use both variant names ([name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Bennett[/name]/[name]Bennett[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name]). It might seem like a slight to one side of the family if you use the full name of one and a variant of the other, like you were preferring one over the other or something.
Out of those four, I like [name]Nathan[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] best, followed by [name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathan[/name]. I just think [name]Bennett[/name] and [name]Nathaniel[/name] don’t really go all that well together in either order.
[name]Benedict[/name] is definitely the most interesting name of the bunch. From your combos I’d pick [name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name], even though [name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathan[/name] flows better [name]IMO[/name].
Hm, this is actually difficult. I adore [name]Nathaniel[/name], but I’ve never been personally fond of [name]Nathan[/name]. As for [name]Benedict[/name]/[name]Bennett[/name], I prefer [name]Benedict[/name]. That said, I think [name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] sounds better than [name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Benedict[/name]. [name]Nathan[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] also has a great ring to it, and I like how both names more accurately reflect your family names.
[name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] is my favorite. It’s very distinguished. I prefer [name]Nathaniel[/name] over [name]Nathan[/name] and [name]Benedict[/name] over [name]Bennett[/name].
Thank you all for your wonderful feedback! Wow – I guess I had a front runner in mind, and I know what my other half’s preference is and it appears to be an almost equal split between those two based on your comments!
For the nn questions:
[name]Nathan[/name] / [name]Nathaniel[/name]: His namesake was actually referred to by friends and family as “Nates”. I’m not really sure when or why the “s” got added, but I’ve never heard anyone refer to Grandpa as anything other than [name]Nathan[/name] or Nates. I’m fond of [name]Nate[/name] but would likely always use the full [name]Nathan[/name] if that’s the name we choose or [name]Nathan[/name] as the nickname for [name]Nathaniel[/name].
I think [name]Ben[/name] is an adorable nickname, but I would feel strange using it. My oldest and best friend’s (a woman) nickname is [name]Ben[/name] (short for a VERY long last name), and I’ve never referred to her as anything but that in 25+ years. So perhaps that takes [name]Benedict[/name] or [name]Bennett[/name] out as a fn? Or maybe that’s an added bonus?
@raptreverie: I had no idea about “the savior of the south” connection. hmmm. And yes – you were correct on the sn. If you’ve noticed my NB name, you will have also figured out that I was a very kind wife when I dropped my maiden name for my husband’s.
[name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] - Very very distinguished. I really like this, especially with your last name.
[name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] - [name]Bennett[/name] just don’t compare to [name]Benedict[/name] to me, but the combo flows nicely.
[name]Nathan[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] - I prefer [name]Nathaniel[/name] over [name]Nathan[/name], but this is still very handsome.
[name]Benedict[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name] - I like the flow of [name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Benedict[/name] more, but I think there’s a certain charm to [name]Benedict[/name] in the first slot.
[name]Nathan[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] - This combo has a very relaxed feel to it, but overall, I’m neutral on it.
[name]Bennett[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name] - This combo looks and sounds a little off to me. I prefer [name]Nathaniel[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] by far.
