Benjamin
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Son of the right hand; son of the south
Origin: Hebrew — Binyamin (בִּנְיָמִין)
Popularity: Ranked #11 in 2025 with 9,762 babies born.
History: Benjamin was the youngest and cherished son of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, and the name has carried warmth and affection ever since. Benjamin Franklin gave it distinctly American prestige — resourceful, witty, and brilliant. The name climbed steadily from the 1980s onward and entered the U.S. top 10 in 2015. Ben is one of the friendliest and most versatile nicknames in the English language, and Benji adds an extra dose of youthful charm.
Famous people named Benjamin: Benjamin Franklin (founding father), Ben Affleck (actor), Benjamin Button (fictional character)
Name length: 8 letters
How common is Benjamin? About 1 in 341 babies born in 2025 were named Benjamin, or roughly 26.8 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Benjamin
What does the name Benjamin mean?
Benjamin means “Son of the right hand; son of the south” from Hebrew — Binyamin (בִּנְיָמִין) roots.
What is the origin of the name Benjamin?
Benjamin has Hebrew — Binyamin (בִּנְיָמִין) origin. The traditional meaning is “Son of the right hand; son of the south”.
How popular is Benjamin?
Benjamin ranked #11 in 2025 — given to 9,762 babies that year.
When was Benjamin most popular?
Benjamin peaked in 1989 with 15,733 babies registered that year.
Is Benjamin a boy or girl name?
Benjamin is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Benjamins in registered births are male.
Is the name Benjamin rising or falling in popularity?
Benjamin has risen 9545 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #9556 in 2020 to #11 in 2025.
How long has Benjamin been recorded?
Benjamin appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.