Benjamin Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Benjamin has its origins in Hebrew, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'favored son.' It evolved from the Hebrew 'Binyamin' to Latin and then to English. It is associated with strong, positive traits and has biblical relevance through the character of Benjamin in the Old Testament. The name has been popular since the 17th century and remains a favored choice today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Benjamin"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Benjamin comes from the Hebrew name 'Binyamin,' which means 'son of the right hand' or 'favored son.' In the biblical narrative, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel.
Meaning
son of the right hand, favored son
Language Evolution
Binyamin (Hebrew), Beniamin (Latin), Benjamin (English)
Biblical Background
In the Bible, Benjamin is significant as one of the twelve tribes of Israel and is often associated with strength and favor.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 17th century, particularly due to Puritan influences and biblical references.
Variants & Derivatives
Ben, Benny, Benji, Benedict
Modern Popularity & Image
Benjamin remains a popular name in contemporary society, often associated with intelligence and reliability. It carries a classic yet modern appeal.
Famous People
Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Disraeli, Benjamin Netanyahu, Benjamin Bratt
📊 Benjamin Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Benjamin Name Visualizations
✨ Benjamin Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,788 peak births in 1989
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Benjamin" - Complete Guide (16 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Benjamin". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 16 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Benjamin" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Benjamin"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Benjamin"
"Benjamin" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 81st of 7545 | 38,397 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 124th of 6773 | 27,732 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 141st of 7552 | 43,392 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 50th of 10718 | 108,579 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 32nd of 16616 | 221,703 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24th of 24088 | 215,642 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7th of 23106 | 151,200 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3992nd of 9107 | 93 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3202nd of 9204 | 146 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3957th of 12526 | 181 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2173rd of 19264 | 614 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2118th of 27321 | 921 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5491st of 35406 | 364 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8360th of 30306 | 155 |
Regional Popularity of "Benjamin" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
8.26% 117th/1416 |
4.57% 63rd/1379 |
3.04% 72nd/2366 |
8.14% 93rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
11.06% 171st/1546 |
5.91% 92nd/1556 |
4.12% 97th/2353 |
8.53% 132nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
8.17% 182nd/2227 |
4.61% 112th/2430 |
4.17% 119th/2853 |
5.23% 145th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.70% 50th/2937 |
1.52% 53rd/3483 |
1.48% 52nd/3518 |
1.11% 45th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.73% 27th/3685 |
0.78% 35th/4475 |
0.67% 35th/5194 |
0.54% 34th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.37% 17th/4582 |
0.39% 20th/5164 |
0.46% 34th/7313 |
0.35% 26th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.15% 6th/3984 |
0.11% 5th/4487 |
0.16% 11th/6822 |
0.06% 4th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Benjamin" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
72.35% 2520th/3483 |
83.97% 2954th/3518 |
49.16% 1988th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
51.37% 1893rd/3685 |
57.77% 2585th/4475 |
53.23% 2765th/5194 |
34.54% 2182nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
71.34% 3684th/5164 |
57.36% 4195th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Benjamin"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Benjamin" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Benjamin" in the United States
The name Benjamin is most popular in New Hampshire, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Benjamin has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Benjamin' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 81st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 124th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 141st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 50th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 32nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3992nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3202nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3957th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2173rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2118th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5491st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8360th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Benjamin' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.