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

Popularity of Benton by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 145 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Benton.

The history of the first name Benton

The name Benton has its origins in Old English and Old French. It is derived from the Old English words "bene" meaning "prayer" or "request" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement". The name likely referred to a settlement or village where people gathered for prayer or religious observances.

The earliest recorded use of the name Benton can be traced back to the 12th century in England. It was initially used as a surname, referring to someone from a particular settlement or village. Over time, it transitioned into a given name as well.

In the late 13th century, a Benedictine monk named Benton de Morleye was mentioned in the historical records of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England. This is one of the earliest known references to the name Benton.

During the Middle Ages, the name Benton appeared in various religious texts and chronicles, often associated with members of the clergy or monastic orders. It was particularly popular among the Benedictine monks, who played a significant role in the preservation of knowledge and literature during this period.

One notable figure in history with the name Benton was Sir Benton de Lisle, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was born around 1320 and served under King Edward III.

In the 16th century, Benton Fletcher (1535-1607) was an English theologian and writer who authored several religious works, including "The Sinne Against the Holy Ghost" and "A Treatise of the Auncient and Moderne Use of Armories".

Another prominent individual with the name Benton was Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858), an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from Missouri. He was a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States.

In the 19th century, Thomas Hart Benton's son, Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), became a renowned American painter and muralist. He was a key figure in the Regionalist art movement and is best known for his depictions of everyday life in the American Midwest.

Benton MacKaye (1879-1975) was an American forester, conservationist, and regional planner. He is credited with conceiving the idea of the Appalachian Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine in the United States.

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

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

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