Meaning, origin, history
Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "favorite son." It is derived from the biblical figure Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Rachel in the Old Testament. According to the story, Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin, and on her deathbed, she named him Ben-oni, which means "son of my sorrow." However, Jacob renamed him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand," as he felt that his favored son had been born on his right side.
The name Benjamin has a rich history and has been popular throughout different cultures and time periods. It was used by several notable figures in history, including Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and Benjamin Disraeli, a former British Prime Minister.
Today, Benjamin remains a popular given name for boys, with variants such as Ben, Benny, and Bennie also being widely used. The name is often associated with strength, wisdom, and intelligence, due in part to its biblical origins and the historical figures who have borne it. Overall, Benjamin is a strong and enduring name that carries a rich history and meaningful significance.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Benjiam since 1880
Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1951
5 births
in 1951
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years