Um you answered your own question.....!!! Interesting fact: Big Ben was originally meant to have a perfect C tone, however the clapper used to make this sound used such force that the bell shattered and had to be repaired. It was realised that in order for such a big bell to ring without breaking, the note would have to be slightly off C, hence the distinctive tone of Big Ben when the hours are rung. ANSWER EDIT: Officially the actual clock tower is called "Parliament Clock Tower" and is also known as "Saint Stephen's Tower" As you said before, the bell itself is called "Big Ben" - but that's a common name. Officially it is called "The Great Bell of Westminster" In regards to the name "Big Ben", see this excerpt from wikipedia.org: "The name Big Ben was first given to a 14.5 tonne (16 ton) hour bell, cast on 10 April 1856 in Stockton-on-Tees by Warner's of Cripplegate. The bell was never officially named, but the legend on it records that the commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall, was responsible for the order; another theory is that the bell may have been named after heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt who was popular at the time. There's also a story that the bell was to be called "Victoria" in honour of Queen Victoria, but the ceremonial speeches went on so long that some joker shouted out "Oh, just call it Big Ben and have done with it!" and the name stuck."