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

Popularity of Bennie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Bennie is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Bennie being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 48 male babies and 30 female babies born with the name Bennie.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 30 baby girls were named Bennie in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Bennie

The given name Bennie has its roots in the Hebrew name Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." It is derived from the Hebrew words "ben" (son) and "yamin" (right hand or south). The name originated in ancient Israel and is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was borne by one of the twelve sons of Jacob.

The name Benjamin has been used for centuries in various cultures and languages. In Latin, it was rendered as Benjaminus, while in Greek it was Beniaminos. The French form of the name is Benjamin, while the Italian variation is Beniamino. The diminutive form "Bennie" emerged as a shortened version of Benjamin, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Benjamin can be found in the Book of Genesis, where Benjamin is described as the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. In the Bible, Benjamin is portrayed as a beloved son and is associated with the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Benjamin or Bennie. One of the most famous is Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an American polymath, author, inventor, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Another notable figure is Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 19th century. He was a prominent figure in the Conservative Party and played a significant role in shaping British politics during the Victorian era.

In the world of literature, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He is renowned for his operas, such as "Peter Grimes" and "The Turn of the Screw," and is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

Bennie Moten (1894-1935) was an American jazz pianist, band leader, and composer. He played a significant role in the development of the Kansas City jazz style and influenced many other notable musicians of his time.

Bennie Wallace (1946-1976) was an American basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. He was a member of the Lakers team that won the NBA championship in 1972.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Benjamin or its diminutive form, Bennie. The name has a rich history and has been present in various cultures and contexts, reflecting its enduring popularity and significance.

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

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

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