All about the name

Benson

Male

« Benson is an English given name with Hebrew roots, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'favored son', first recorded in England during the 12th century. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Benson is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old French word "benist", which means "son of Ben". The name Ben is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand" or "favored son". The name Benson was first recorded in England in the 12th century and was initially used as a surname. It was later adopted as a given name in the 18th century. The name became more popular in the United States during the mid-19th century, particularly among English-speaking communities. Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Benson. For example, Thomas Benson was an early English settler who arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635. Additionally, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, named his son Denis Bowen Benson. Today, Benson is still used as both a surname and given name. It has gained popularity in recent years, with data from the Social Security Administration showing that it was the 764th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2019. Despite its decreasing popularity compared to its peak in the late 1800s, Benson remains a unique and timeless choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child. In conclusion, Benson is an English name with Hebrew origins that has been used for centuries. It means "son of Ben" or "favored son", and throughout history, several notable individuals have carried this distinguished name. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, Benson remains a unique and timeless choice for parents today.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Benson since 1880

Total births
12,367
Total since 1880
Peak year
2016
729 births
in 2023
454
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+3%
vs previous 5 years