Bento is a Portuguese given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "bentinus," which means "gift" or "blessing." The name was popular among Portuguese nobility during the Middle Ages and has since been used throughout Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
The name Bento gained international recognition through Saint Bento, also known as Benedict of Nursia. Born in Italy in the 5th century, he founded the Order of St. Benedict, which became one of the largest and most influential orders in the Catholic Church. In Portugal, Bento is often associated with good fortune and happiness due to its literal meaning.
Throughout history, many notable figures have carried this name, including Brazilian independence leader José Bento Monteiro Lobato and Portuguese poet and diplomat António Bento. Today, Bento remains a popular choice among parents in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, carrying on the tradition of bestowing meaningful names with deep historical roots.
The name Bento has seen varying popularity over the past seven years in the United States. In 2016, there were 12 babies named Bento at birth. This number slightly decreased to 10 births in 2017. The following year, 2018, witnessed a further decrease with only 8 newborns being named Bento. Interestingly, the trend reversed in 2019 with another 8 births. However, 2020 saw a significant increase, with 22 babies being named Bento.
The upward trend continued into 2021 with 13 births, followed by an even higher number in 2022 with 17 newborns named Bento. The latest data from 2023 shows that the popularity of the name has surged to its highest point yet, with 26 babies being named Bento.
Over these seven years combined, a total of 116 babies were named Bento in the United States. This fluctuation in popularity highlights how tastes and preferences can change over time when it comes to naming our children.