What's the correct use of a comma when thanking someone?

When writing quick replies to emails (usually to say thank you, etc.) I've taken to using the following style:

"Thank you, Ben!

Regards, Øyvind"

That is, I insert a comma before the vocative. Is that correct? Should it be

"Thank you Ben!

Regards, Øyvind"

instead?

Solution 1:

Technically, it is correct to separate the name of the person addressed from the rest of the utterance, e.g. 'Hi, Jim' or 'Nonsense, Alfreda!' However, this is a convention that many many people either do not know about, or ignore, especially in emails, online communication, etc. You're quite right to use it, so please go on doing so! I always do, at the risk of being pedantic.