Find out how popular the first name Benjiro has been for the last 1 years (from 2021 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Benjiro by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Benjiro is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Benjiro.

The history of the first name Benjiro

The name Benjiro is believed to have originated in Japan, with roots dating back to the early Edo period (1603-1868). It is a combination of two Japanese words: "ben," which means "protection" or "guard," and "jiro," a common suffix used in Japanese names meaning "second son."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Benjiro can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa shogunate, where it was mentioned as the name of a samurai warrior who served under the renowned daimyo (feudal lord) Tokugawa Ieyasu in the late 16th century.

In the realm of Japanese literature, the name Benjiro is featured in the classic work "The Tale of Genji," written by the 11th-century court lady Murasaki Shikibu. In this seminal novel, Benjiro is portrayed as a minor character, a young courtier who appears briefly in one of the chapters.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Benjiro. One of the most famous was Benjiro Matsuhira (1822-1885), a Japanese statesman and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Meiji Restoration, the period of rapid modernization and Westernization in Japan during the late 19th century.

Another prominent figure was Benjiro Nishiwaki (1835-1886), a Japanese entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the Toshiba Corporation, one of the world's leading electronics and technology companies.

In the realm of arts and culture, Benjiro Ozawa (1898-1975) was a renowned Japanese painter and printmaker, known for his vibrant depictions of traditional Japanese landscapes and scenes from daily life.

Moving into the 20th century, Benjiro Ishida (1920-2003) was a celebrated Japanese author and poet, whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition with profound insight and lyrical beauty.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Benjiro throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and society.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Benjiro, 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!