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Home Benjamin
Boy

Benjamin

BEN-jah-min

Benjamin comes from Hebrew בִּנְיָמִן (Binyamīn): “ben” (son) and “yamin” (right hand, south), meaning “son of the right hand.” In the ancient Near East, the right hand symbolized strength, favor, and authority.

US Rank 2024
No. 11
Births
9,814
Peak Year
2016

In Genesis, Benjamin is the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons. His mother Rachel died in childbirth, naming him Ben-Oni (“son of my sorrow”) before Jacob renamed him Benjamin.

The tribe of Benjamin included King Saul and the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5). The name passed through Greek Beniamin and Latin Beniaminus into European vernacular use, initially remaining within Jewish communities until the Protestant Reformation.

What the name Benjamin means

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is the name’s most embedded American bearer, associated with practical wisdom and civic virtue.

In literature, Benjamin appears in Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (1945) and in “The Graduate” (1963). The Fitzgerald character Benjamin Button reached new audiences via the 2008 film.

Benjamin entered the U.S. top 10 in 2014, peaking at No. 6 in 2016 with 14,682 births. In 2024, it ranks No. 11 with 9,814 births, remaining among the most popular biblical names in the country.

Nicknames Ben, Benny, and Benji provide flexibility across age and formality. International forms include Benjamín (Spanish) and Veniamin (Russian).

Name day: March 31

US popularity over time

Numerology and symbolism

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

B(2) + E(5) + N(5) + J(1) + A(1) + M(4) + I(9) + N(5) = 32 = 5
Destiny number
5
Freedom
Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit
Soul urge
6
Love
Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires
Expression
8
Authority
Sum of consonants - how others perceive you
Letters 8
Vowels / consonants 3 / 5
Birthstone Aquamarine
Lucky color Turquoise

Famous people named Benjamin

Benjamin Bratt (b. 1963) Benjamin Bratt (born December 16, 1963) is an American actor.
Benjamin Bratt (b. 1963) Benjamin Bratt (born December 16, 1963) is an American actor.
Benjamin Ayres (b. 1977) Benjamin James Ayres (born January 19, 1977) is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Dr.
Benjamin Ayres (b. 1977) Benjamin James Ayres (born January 19, 1977) is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Dr.
Benjamin Romualdez (b. 1930) Politician and public official (1930-2012)
Benjamin Romualdez (b. 1930) Politician and public official (1930-2012)
Benjamin Romualdez (b. 1930) Politician and public official (1930-2012)
Benjamin Netanyahu (b. 1949) Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician and diplomat who has served as Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu (b. 1949) Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician and diplomat who has served as Prime Minister

Benjamin - similar names

Noah
From Hebrew “noach” meaning rest or comfort; name of the bib...
James
From Hebrew “Yaaqov” meaning supplanter, via Greek Iakobos a...
Mateo
From Hebrew “Mattityahu” meaning gift of God, from “matan” (...
Elijah
From Hebrew ʼeliyyahu: “ʼel” (God) + “Yahu” (Yahweh), meanin...
Levi
From Hebrew “levi” meaning joined or attached; name of the t...
Ezra
From Hebrew “Ezra” meaning help or helper; name of the bibli...
Jack
From Hebrew “Yochanan” meaning God is gracious, via Old Fren...
Daniel
From Hebrew “Daniel”: “dan” (judge) + “el” (God), meaning Go...
Samuel
From Hebrew “Shemuel”: “shama” (heard) + “el” (God), meaning...
Michael
From Hebrew “Mikhaʼel”: “mi” (who) + “kha” (like) + “el” (Go...
Ethan
From Hebrew “Eitan” meaning strong, firm, or enduring; name ...
Asher
From Hebrew “Asher” meaning happy, blessed, or fortunate; na...

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Explore More Names Like Benjamin

Boy Names Hebrew Names Starting with B Popular Names
Researched by MyGall Research · Updated April 15, 2026
Boy Hebrew 3 syllables

Ways to spell Benjamin

Variant Language
Benji English diminutive
Benny English diminutive
Ben English short form
Binyamin Hebrew
Binyamen Hebrew variant
Beniamino Italian
Veniamin Russian
Benjamín Spanish

Where it ranks highest

WA No. 6 DC No. 6 IL No. 7 MA No. 7 NH No. 8 PA No. 8 NV No. 9 OR No. 9 MI No. 9 IN No. 10 CA No. 11 MD No. 11 VA No. 12 NJ No. 12 AZ No. 12 CT No. 12 VT No. 13 AK No. 13 KS No. 13 NY No. 13 CO No. 13 FL No. 13 MN No. 14 RI No. 15 NC No. 16 AR No. 16 OH No. 16 TX No. 17 UT No. 17 WY No. 17 OK No. 17 LA No. 19 IA No. 20 ID No. 21 NE No. 21 MO No. 21 GA No. 22 TN No. 22 AL No. 23 WI No. 24 ND No. 25 MT No. 26 WV No. 28 HI No. 31 ME No. 31 KY No. 32 SC No. 36 DE No. 38 MS No. 43 NM No. 62 SD No. 63

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Quick Stats

US Rank
No. 11
Births
9,814
Peak Year
2016

Related Origins

  • Hebrew

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A research-driven baby name reference. Real meanings, real history, and the popularity charts you actually need.

Top Girl Names

  • No. 1 Olivia
  • No. 2 Emma
  • No. 3 Amelia
  • No. 4 Charlotte
  • No. 5 Mia
  • No. 6 Sophia
  • No. 7 Isabella
  • No. 8 Evelyn
All girl names

Top Boy Names

  • No. 1 Liam
  • No. 2 Noah
  • No. 3 Oliver
  • No. 4 Theodore
  • No. 5 James
  • No. 6 Henry
  • No. 7 Mateo
  • No. 8 Elijah
All boy names

By Origin

  • English 672
  • Hebrew 252
  • Latin 232
  • Greek 191
  • Spanish 167
  • Germanic 157
  • French 145
  • Italian 89
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