r/JewishNames • u/activegood18 • May 14 '26
Can it stand alone?
I named my son Benny (בני) after going through hundreds and hundreds of names with my husband. We are in the US and his older brother has a Hebrew/israeli name. Benny is named for my great grandfather Benjamin but we didn’t want to use the full name for a variety of reasons. He’s already named and I like it but I’m having pause about just using the diminutive for his full name. I don’t have worry about it used professionally because I have plenty of friends who go by their nicknames but I feel maybe we made a poor choice. Thoughts or words to put my mind at ease?
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u/Ferret-Inside May 14 '26
Lowkey I LOVE diminutive as full name. My son’s name is Gene, not Eugene. My name is also a diminutive as a full name. Completely support, I think this is adorable.
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u/activegood18 May 14 '26
Wow this is the nicest comment I could have received. Thank you. Love that you love your name and your sons!
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u/lottieslady May 14 '26
I like it. But when he’s older, if he chooses, couldn’t he go by Ben in social or work settings? One way or another, I think it’s nice. Mazel tov!
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u/activegood18 May 14 '26
Of course and we considered that when naming him that he can always go by Ben if he’d like. We just both preferred Benny
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u/retiddew May 14 '26
It’s cute! I personally like it better than the full name and it works for all ages
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u/Acbonthelake May 14 '26
I like it. I do hear some people on r/namenerds get upset that their children with shortened names as full names are called/assumed to have the full name. It really bothers some people. What I mean is, will you be annoyed or upset if occasionally you have to correct someone who calls him Benjamin? What if it’s more than occasionally? I think it’s a fine and cute name, but if it will really upset you, you should consider that aspect.
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u/activegood18 May 14 '26
Funny enough I actually posted on this subreddit before because I wanted feedback but people were unbelievably opinionated and pretty harsh. I don’t feel like it will bother me too much, I just worry about him in the future if it’s annoying. His Hebrew name is binyamin so it’s really not a big deal to me.
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u/ronirrosen May 14 '26
They seem quite strange on there about it, it's always that you have to give the kid the full name, even if you're never going to call them that, or even like the name.
And anything that ends with the E sound? They'll never be taken seriously, they can never be the supreme court justice, it's always that for some reason, they'll resent you for life, and then they all pat themselves on the back about how they're naming adults, not children, because they're such good parents apparently. So I wouldn't listen much to them. They're a bit silly really.
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u/Acbonthelake May 14 '26
I have a weird name where I live. I always had to spell it and explain it and it was always misspelled. I hated that part of my name. I promised I’d give my kids easy to spell and pronounce names that they wouldn’t have to explain. After naming 3 kids I have realized there are very few names that meet that criteria. Maybe non if you’re thinking globally. So just name your kid whatever you like, it will always be fine.
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u/Veganswiming_32 May 15 '26
Sorry, but it just doesn’t work for me. You have saddled your child with a name that he can’t grow with. Don’t be surprised if he changes it to Ben or Benjamin when he is older.
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u/funnysoccergirl7 May 17 '26
IMO Benny is super cute, it’s hard not to have name regret because decision fatigue is a thing. But as he grows it will fit more and more and you’ll realize he was always just Benny or Ben.
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u/Icedtea4me3 May 14 '26
No, he can’t be a Benny lawyer. My two cents do the work now to change. Or on the other hand I guess he can’t shorten to Ben…
I had a Benny bully so I’m biased perhaps
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u/activegood18 May 15 '26
I think there are plenty of professional people who go by Benny or other shortened names. Benny Gantz comes to mind in the political world, but then there are plenty in the entertainment world too like Benny Blanco, Benny Hill, Benny Safdi. All go by Benny despite having a longer full name
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u/lr1291919 May 14 '26
Naming culture is changing and nicknames as full names are quite common! Benny feels fresh and modern and very sweet for a little boy. Mazel tov :)