Ahead of the trend?

When the neonatologist stuck the wrapped up little bundle of Baby B in my arms and asked me for his name, I glanced over at Roy and said, "This is Ben, right?" Roy responded in the affirmative, and I was pleased with the choice. Sam and Ben seemed like perfect names for perfect little boys. Both names are mainstream enough (ranking #25 and #26 respectively in the Social Security name database for 2007, and BabyCenter.com puts Samuel at #43 and Ben at #31 for 2008) but unique enough so that our boys wouldn't have to be "Sam O" or "Ben O" in their kindergarten class (yes, CT allows parents to decide whether or not their twins are in the same class in the lower grades). I thought that of the two names, we would be more inclined to run into other Sams -- I have never before met a little boy named Ben (prior to giving birth, that is).

In the past month, three women I know have given birth to little boys -- and each has named her son Ben! Well -- Benjamin -- and I am shocked! Is the name rising in popularity? Will Ben take over the #1 spot for 2009, knocking off perennial favorite, Aidan?? I can see why these women would choose the name, especially after seeing MY Ben -- who wouldn't want one of their own?? Roy did point out to me that our son isn't actually named Ben or Benjamin (he's Benedetto after his paternal grandfather) -- but I *think* of him as BEN!

On a random aside, in 2007, there were 18 sets of twins born in the United States who were named Samuel and Benjamin. I'm guessing that we have the only set of twins born in 2008 who are named Samuel and Benedetto!