The nameBenjamin
Benjamin is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of the right hand". The name of the youngest son of Jacob, it is a classic across the English-speaking world.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Benjamin comes from the Hebrew Binyamin, "son of the right hand", the right hand being a sign of favour and strength. Some read it as "son of the south".
Origin
Hebrew. In Genesis, Benjamin is the youngest of the twelve sons of Jacob and ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel. As the last born, his name came to mean the youngest child of a family.
History
Benjamin was a favourite of Puritans and early Americans, as shown by Benjamin Franklin. It returned to fashion from the 1970s and entered the American top 10 in 2015. Ben and Benny are its usual short forms.
Benjamin in other languages
Benjamin is spelled the same in English, French, German and Dutch. It is Beniamino in Italian, Benjamín in Spanish, Benjamim in Portuguese, Beniamin in Polish and Binyamin in Hebrew.
Nicknames for Benjamin
The most common nicknames for Benjamin: Ben, Benji and Benny.
Did you know?
- In the Bible, Benjamin is the youngest of Jacob's twelve sons, which is why the youngest child of a family is called a "benjamin" in French.
- Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod.
- Benjamin Franklin's portrait appears on the American hundred dollar bill.
Famous people named Benjamin
- Benjamin Franklin, statesman and scientist
- Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister
- Benjamin Britten, composer
- Ben Stiller, actor
Popularity of the name Benjamin
Benjamin in the United States
Benjamin was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 142,183 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Benjamin. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1989. Half of all babies named Benjamin in the United States were born before 1993. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 11,024 births a year on average, against 13,772 in the five years before.
Benjamin in the United Kingdom
Benjamin was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 44,699 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Benjamin. Half of all babies named Benjamin in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,155 births a year on average, against 1,938 in the five years before.
Benjamin in Ireland
Benjamin in France
Benjamin in Belgium
Benjamin in Switzerland
Benjamin in Austria
Benjamin in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Benjamin
Names from the same generation as Benjamin, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Benjamin? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Benjamin with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Benjamin side by side with the name of your choice.
Benjamin in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Benjamin mean?
Benjamin comes from the Hebrew Binyamin, "son of the right hand", the right hand being a sign of favour and strength. Some read it as "son of the south".
What is the origin of the name Benjamin?
Hebrew. In Genesis, Benjamin is the youngest of the twelve sons of Jacob and ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel. As the last born, his name came to mean the youngest child of a family.
Is Benjamin a girl's or a boy's name?
Benjamin is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Benjamin?
In 2024, Benjamin was the 11th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 9,814 births.
What are the variants of the name Benjamin?
Variants and related names of Benjamin include Ben.
What are good sibling names for Benjamin?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Abigail, Isabella and Leah for a sister, James, Isaac, Samuel and Elijah for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Benjamin?
The most common nicknames for Benjamin are Ben, Benji and Benny.
Who are famous people named Benjamin?
Benjamin Franklin, statesman and scientist; Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister; Benjamin Britten, composer; Ben Stiller, actor.