Benjamin
Benjamin is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Son of the right hand.
Origin and history
Benjamin is a classic name of Hebrew origin meaning 'son of the right hand'. It has been a mainstay in English-speaking countries for centuries and remains extremely popular in the United States today. In modern U.S. rankings, it consistently sits among the top male names given to newborns.
Popularity in the United States
826,830 babies in the United States have been named Benjamin since 1880. It ranks #38 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #10.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.9 %)
- NY (6.4 %)
- TX (6.4 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
- OH (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,407 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,460 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,009 |
| 1910-1920 | 17,310 |
| 1920-1930 | 21,028 |
| 1930-1940 | 14,613 |
| 1940-1950 | 17,184 |
| 1950-1960 | 23,833 |
| 1960-1970 | 25,609 |
| 1970-1980 | 81,332 |
| 1980-1990 | 141,366 |
| 1990-2000 | 133,939 |
| 2000-2010 | 137,309 |
| 2010-2019 | 134,509 |
| 2020-2029 | 64,922 |
Famous people named Benjamin
- Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father, Polymath
- Benjamin Harrison: U.S. President, Lawyer
- Benjamin Affleck: Actor, Filmmaker
Nicknames
Ben, Benji, Benny
Fun facts
- In the Old Testament, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel and the founder of one of the Israelite tribes.
- The name has consistently ranked among the top given male names in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880.