Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the root word "ben" which means "son." The name Benjamin was originally given to one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament of the Bible. According to the story, Rachel, the wife of Jacob, gave birth to her twelfth son on the verge of death and named him Benjamin, saying "Ben Oni," meaning "son of my right hand."
The name Benjamin has also been popular among different cultures throughout history. It was the name of two early Christian saints, including St. Benedict of Nursia who founded the Benedictine order in the 6th century. In literature, Benjamin is a character in Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities" and in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
In English-speaking countries today, Benjamin remains a popular choice for baby boys. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 names in the United States since the early 20th century. In France, it has been one of the most popular boys' names for decades, often ranking in the top five.
Overall, Benjamin is a name with a rich history and meaningful roots, making it a beloved choice for parents around the world.
The name Benjamin experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the course of a century. Starting with an average of about five births per year between 1914 and 1927, it peaked at 79 births in 1979. The trend continued to rise until 1983, reaching a high of 96 births. However, after 1985, the popularity of Benjamin began to decline steadily, falling to as low as eight births in 2023. Over the entire period, there were a total of 2468 babies named Benjamin.