The name Benito originated from the Italian language and culture. It is a diminutive form of the Italian name Benedetto, which is derived from the Latin name Benedictus, meaning "blessed." The name was particularly popular in medieval Italy and Spain.

The name Benedictus can be traced back to the early Christian era, as it was the name of several early saints and popes. One of the most notable figures with this name is Saint Benedict of Nursia, who lived in the 6th century and is considered the founder of the Benedictine monastic order.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Benito can be found in the 12th century, in reference to Benito Guzman, a Spanish nobleman and military leader during the Reconquista. Another notable figure was Benito Arias Montano, a 16th-century Spanish scholar and biblical editor.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence with Benito Juarez, a Mexican politician and statesman who served as the 26th president of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. He is celebrated for his liberal reforms and for leading Mexico through the French intervention.

Another famous bearer of the name was Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator who ruled as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943 and established a fascist regime. He played a significant role in World War II as an ally of Nazi Germany.

In the 20th century, Benito Quinquela Martin, an Argentine painter known for his depictions of dock workers and port scenes, also carried this name. He was born in 1890 and died in 1977.

While the popularity of the name Benito has waned in recent decades, it remains a significant historical name, particularly in Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures, with its roots in the early Christian era and its association with notable figures throughout history.