Benson is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old French word "benist", which means "son of Ben". The name Ben is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand" or "favored son".
The name Benson was first recorded in England in the 12th century and was initially used as a surname. It was later adopted as a given name in the 18th century. The name became more popular in the United States during the mid-19th century, particularly among English-speaking communities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Benson. For example, Thomas Benson was an early English settler who arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635. Additionally, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, named his son Denis Bowen Benson.
Today, Benson is still used as both a surname and given name. It has gained popularity in recent years, with data from the Social Security Administration showing that it was the 764th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2019. Despite its decreasing popularity compared to its peak in the late 1800s, Benson remains a unique and timeless choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
In conclusion, Benson is an English name with Hebrew origins that has been used for centuries. It means "son of Ben" or "favored son", and throughout history, several notable individuals have carried this distinguished name. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, Benson remains a unique and timeless choice for parents today.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the popularity of the name Benson in the United States over time.
From 1887 to 1939, the number of births with the name Benson fluctuated between a low of 17 births in 1933 and a high of 45 births in 1925. During this period, the popularity of the name Benson remained relatively stable, with an average of around 30 births per year.
Starting in 1940, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Benson. The highest point during this era occurred in 1969, with 64 births. This trend continued until the late 1970s, with the popularity of the name Benson peaking at 79 births in 1979.
However, from the early 1980s onwards, there was a noticeable decline in the number of babies named Benson. Between 1980 and 2019, the average number of births per year was around 50 to 60, with some years seeing as few as 38 births (in 1987).
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Benson. Between 2010 and 2023, the number of babies named Benson increased significantly, from 260 births in 2010 to a peak of 454 births in 2023. This trend is notable, as it indicates that the name Benson has gained popularity among parents in recent years.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Benson has fluctuated over time, it remains a popular choice for parents in the United States today, with over 450 babies named Benson in 2023 alone.