Benny
Benny is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Son of the right hand.
Origin and history
Benny is a traditional short form of Benjamin, which derives from the Hebrew name Binyamin. It has long been used as both an informal nickname and an independent given name in the United States. While its peak usage occurred in the mid-20th century, it remains a familiar classic.
Popularity in the United States
48,500 babies in the United States have been named Benny since 1880. It ranks #520 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #910.
States where it is most popular
- TX (14.3 %)
- CA (11 %)
- NY (6.9 %)
- GA (5.3 %)
- NC (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 53 |
| 1890-1900 | 109 |
| 1900-1910 | 263 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,636 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,813 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,863 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,303 |
| 1950-1960 | 8,805 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,655 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,316 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,341 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,828 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,749 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,399 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,367 |
Famous people named Benny
- Benny Goodman: musician, bandleader
- Benny Blanco: record producer, songwriter
Fun facts
- While commonly used as a pet form of Benjamin, Benny has appeared as an independent legal name on U.S. birth certificates for well over a century.
- The name gained mid-century cultural prominence through famous jazz musician Benny Goodman, the 'King of Swing.'