Benton
Benton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Settlement in the bent-grass or reed-grass enclosure.
Origin and history
Benton is an English surname and place name derived from Old English elements meaning a settlement where bent-grass grows or a village in the reeds. It has been used continuously as a masculine given name in the United States since the late nineteenth century. Today it remains a steady, traditional choice that is moderately rare.
Popularity in the United States
10,415 babies in the United States have been named Benton since 1880. It ranks #1174 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1139.
States where it is most popular
- TX (16.4 %)
- TN (13.6 %)
- CA (7.9 %)
- MO (6 %)
- NC (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 125 |
| 1890-1900 | 81 |
| 1900-1910 | 110 |
| 1910-1920 | 542 |
| 1920-1930 | 770 |
| 1930-1940 | 601 |
| 1940-1950 | 627 |
| 1950-1960 | 593 |
| 1960-1970 | 590 |
| 1970-1980 | 516 |
| 1980-1990 | 717 |
| 1990-2000 | 952 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,081 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,224 |
| 2020-2029 | 886 |
Nicknames
Ben
Fun facts
- The name originally denoted someone from various places in England named Benton, such as in Northumberland or Devon.
- It follows the long-standing Anglo-American tradition of adopting aristocratic or habitational family surnames as given names.