Bennett is a name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "benet," which means "blessed." It was originally used as a nickname for someone who was considered blessed or fortunate. Over time, Bennett has evolved into a given name in its own right, rather than simply being used as a nickname.
The name Bennett is believed to have first appeared during the Middle Ages in England. However, it was not particularly popular at that time and remained relatively uncommon throughout much of history. It wasn't until the late 19th century that Bennett began to gain traction as a given name, thanks in large part to its use by famous figures such as British author Arthur Conan Doyle's character Dr. John Watson.
Today, Bennett is still not one of the most popular names, but it has become more common than it once was. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, for example, Bennett ranked #462 in popularity for boys' names in 2020. This suggests that while it may not be a ubiquitous choice, there is still a significant number of people who choose this name for their children.
In terms of its cultural significance, Bennett has been used by various notable figures throughout history beyond Arthur Conan Doyle's character. For instance, American politician Benjamin Bennett served as the fifth governor of Vermont from 1836 to 1837. More recently, Canadian musician Ben Kowalewicz fronts the punk rock band Billy Talent.
Despite its origins and historical use, there are no specific traditions or customs associated with the name Bennett outside of those generally attached to Christian names due to its meaning of "blessed." Therefore, people named Bennett do not have any unique celebrations or practices related solely to their given name.
The name Bennett has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the early to mid-20th century, there were fewer than ten births with the name each year, but starting around the late 1980s and early 1990s, the number of Bennett births began to rise.
In 1992, there were 11 births with the name Bennett, marking a notable increase from previous years. This trend continued throughout the 1990s, with peaks in 1996 (13 births) and 1999 (16 births).
The early 2000s saw an even more substantial rise in Bennett births. In 2004, there were 23 births, followed by 29 in 2005, indicating that the name was becoming more popular among parents.
From 2006 onwards, Bennett has consistently been one of the top boy names in the United States. Between 2006 and 2017, there were over 40 births with the name each year, with notable peaks in 2014 (113 births) and 2018 (119 births). In recent years, Bennett has shown no signs of slowing down, with 134 births recorded in 2021 and 146 births in 2023.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate a clear upward trend for the name Bennett over time. From its humble beginnings in the early to mid-20th century, Bennett has evolved into a popular choice for parents naming their sons in recent decades.