Boy · 7th of 23,106
Benjamin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
819,436
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1989
Peak Popularity Year
15,788
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Benjamin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 16 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |