Bene first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Bene has been for the last 1 years (from 1976 to 1976) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Bene

A feminine given name derived from Latin meaning "well" or "good".

Popularity of Bene by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Bene is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1976, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bene.

Year Male Count Female Count
1976 0 5

The history of the first name Bene

The name Bene has its origins in the Latin language, tracing back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "bene," which means "well" or "good." In early Christian contexts, Bene was sometimes used as a shortened form of the name Benedict, which means "blessed."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bene can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who lived in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. He mentioned a Roman soldier named Bene who fought bravely during the Batavian rebellion against the Roman Empire.

In the Middle Ages, the name Bene gained popularity among Christian communities, particularly in Italy. It was often bestowed upon individuals who were perceived as virtuous or pious. One notable figure was Bene of Massalia, a 5th-century monk and bishop known for his ascetic lifestyle and teachings on spiritual discipline.

During the Renaissance period, the name Bene was associated with scholars and intellectuals. One such individual was Bene Castellione, an Italian humanist and philosopher who lived from 1516 to 1571. He was renowned for his translations of ancient Greek texts and his advocacy for religious tolerance.

In the 17th century, Bene became a more common name in parts of Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. One notable bearer of the name was Bene Spinoza, a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese-Jewish descent, who lived from 1632 to 1677. His works on rationalism and ethics had a profound influence on Western philosophy.

Another individual with the name Bene who left a lasting impact was Bene Gesserit, a fictional character from the "Dune" science fiction series by Frank Herbert. Introduced in the 1965 novel "Dune," Bene Gesserit was the leader of a powerful sisterhood with extraordinary mental and physical abilities, playing a pivotal role in the complex political landscape of the Dune universe.

While these examples highlight the historical and cultural significance of the name Bene, it is important to note that names can take on different meanings and connotations across different regions and time periods. The interpretation and usage of the name may have varied in different contexts throughout history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bene, please contact us.

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"Bene first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/bene-meaning-and-history/.

"Bene first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/bene-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 June, 2025

Bene first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/bene-meaning-and-history/.

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