The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Bennett!

Comments and insights on the name Bennett: | Edit

A great alternative to Benjamin if you'd prefer something less common and bit snappier and more anglo. Underutilized and the nn "ben" is great.

Personal experiences with the name Bennett: | Edit

My son's name is Bennett - born in 08. We are pleased with the name - his nickname is Benny. We planned to call him Ben but Benny just stuck. The only issues we've had is that people often misspell it - leaving off an n or a t, and sometimes even adding an e (Bennette)! It is becoming popular as a girl's name now - which is something we would have never anticipated. It is still uncommon, though, so that unisex issue hasn't been much of one for us.

We have a son named Bennett, born in 2005. Like the poster above, people often misspell it, leaving off an N or a T. In addition, my son's kindergarten teacher mentioned that it was a difficult name for a kindergartener to learn to spell simply because it has two e's; two t's and two n's, which is apparently confusing for some kids. My son did have issues with spelling his name for a while, but after writing it and seeing it often, it was not a problem (took a month to "get it right" consistently). Our Bennett has two nicknames: Ben-Ben and Bam-Bam (or just Bam). Bam Bam is because he looks and acts like Bam Bam of the Flintstones. Our Bennett does not like it when anyone calls him Ben or Benny. He only answers to Bennett with anyone other than the family (family uses Ben-Ben or Bam). He is turning out to be "distinguished," which is what the name "felt like" to me before he was born. He enjoys wearing suits and ties to school; he loves to look nice; fix his hair; and please people. He talks like a politician...already :/ (bad or good??? IDK...maybe he will be a politician who has a conscience and who works FOR the people...)

Nicknames for Bennett: | Edit

Ben, Benny, Bennie, Benster

Meanings and history of the name Bennett: | Edit

Medieval form of Benedict. Has Latin roots. Means "blessed".

Famous real-life people named Bennett: | Edit

Bennett Cerf, Random House publisher and "What's My Line" panelist

Bennett in song, story & screen: | Edit

Bennett Halverson (female, played by Summer Glau) was a character in Joss Whedon's original Sci-Fi series "Dollhouse."