Find out how popular the first name Benjamin has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Benjamin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Benjamin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Benjamin being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10,172 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Benjamin.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 8 baby girls were named Benjamin in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Benjamin

The name Benjamin has its origins in the Hebrew language and can be traced back to ancient biblical times. It is derived from the Hebrew phrase "Ben Yamin" which translates to "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." This name was initially borne by the youngest son of the biblical patriarch Jacob and his wife Rachel, as recorded in the Book of Genesis.

In ancient times, the tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name gained prominence and significance within the Jewish tradition due to its biblical roots. It has been a popular name among Jewish communities for centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Benjamin can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Benjamin, the son of Jacob, is a central figure in the narrative. The name is also mentioned in various other ancient texts, including the Talmud and other Jewish religious writings.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Benjamin. One of the most famous is Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an American polymath, statesman, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He played a crucial role in the American Revolution and was renowned for his contributions to science, literature, and diplomacy.

Another prominent figure was Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), a British politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 19th century. He was known for his literary works and his influential role in shaping British politics during the Victorian era.

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist who significantly contributed to 20th-century classical music. His works, such as the opera "Peter Grimes" and the "War Requiem," are widely celebrated and performed worldwide.

In the field of philosophy, Benjamin Constant (1767-1830) was a Swiss-French political philosopher and writer who played a pivotal role in the development of liberal thought during the French Revolution and the early 19th century.

Lastly, Benjamin Zephaniah (born 1958) is a renowned British poet, writer, and activist known for his contributions to contemporary literature and his advocacy for social justice causes.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Benjamin throughout history, reflecting its enduring popularity and cultural significance across various fields and epochs.

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 Benjamin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!