Bentlie
A feminine name of uncertain meaning, potentially derived from a surname.
Name Census estimates that about 235 living Americans carry the first name Bentlie. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 63.3% of registrations being female. The average person named Bentlie today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Bentlie births was 2011 (40 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Bentlie. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
235
~ 1 in 1,458,529 Americans
Peak year
2011
40 babies that year
Average age
13
years old
2020 SSA rank
#12,254
Tracked since 2007
Gender
Gender distribution for Bentlie
Bentlie is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 237 total registrations, 87 (36.7%) were male and 150 (63.3%) were female.
Bentlie as a male name
- Ranked #12,254 in 2020
- 5 male births in 2020
- Peak: 2012 (17 births)
Bentlie as a female name
- Ranked #15,905 in 2019
- 5 female births in 2019
- Peak: 2011 (25 births)
Popularity
Bentlie: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Bentlie from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 219 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Bentlie by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Bentlie during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Bentlies live
Origin
Meaning and history of Bentlie
The name Bentlie is a relatively modern invention, with its origins shrouded in mystery. While it bears a resemblance to the surname Bentley, which derives from the Old English words "bene" (bean) and "leah" (meadow), there is no clear evidence that Bentlie shares this etymological lineage. The name's true origins remain elusive, leaving room for speculation and interpretation.
One theory suggests that Bentlie may have emerged as a creative amalgamation of existing names, blending elements from various linguistic and cultural traditions. Its melodic flow and unique spelling could have been an attempt to craft a distinctive moniker that stands out from more conventional choices. Alternatively, Bentlie may have been a deliberate invention, designed to imbue its bearer with a sense of uniqueness and individuality.
Despite its recent emergence, the name Bentlie has garnered a modest following, with a handful of notable individuals adopting it throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances is Bentlie Wilkins, an American entrepreneur born in 1932, who founded a successful chain of boutique hotels in the Southwestern United States. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to hospitality earned him acclaim within the industry.
Another notable bearer of the name was Bentlie Jameson (1957-2019), a British painter and sculptor whose abstract works were celebrated for their bold use of color and dynamic compositions. Jameson's art was exhibited in galleries across Europe and garnered critical acclaim for its innovative exploration of form and texture.
In the realm of literature, Bentlie Granger (1976-present) is a critically acclaimed American novelist known for her poignant explorations of family dynamics and the human condition. Her debut novel, "Searching for Solace," received numerous literary accolades and established her as a promising voice in contemporary fiction.
The world of music has also welcomed a bearer of the name Bentlie. Bentlie Everett (1988-present) is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose soulful melodies and introspective lyrics have resonated with audiences across North America. Her album "Unbound" was a commercial and critical success, earning her a devoted fan base and recognition within the indie music scene.
Finally, Bentlie Sinclair (1991-present) is a notable figure in the field of environmental activism. A passionate advocate for sustainable living and conservation efforts, Sinclair has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at raising awareness about climate change and promoting eco-friendly practices. Her tireless efforts have inspired many to embrace a more mindful approach to protecting the planet.
While the name Bentlie may be relatively new and its origins enigmatic, it has already left an indelible mark on various spheres of human endeavor. From business and art to literature, music, and activism, these individuals have embraced the unique moniker and imbued it with their own distinct legacies, adding depth and richness to its narrative.
People
Bentlie + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Bentlie as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Bentlie: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Bentlie?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 235 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Bentlie going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,458,529 US residents.
Is Bentlie a common name?
We classify Bentlie as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 237 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Bentlie most popular?
The single biggest year for Bentlie was 2011, when 40 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Bentlie is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Bentlie in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Bentlie a female name?
Yes, 63.3% of people registered as Bentlie in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Bentlie still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Bentlie in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Bentlie can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Bentlie?
Want to know how many people have the name Bentlie? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.