Benson is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin that was initially used as a given name in the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old English word 'beosn', which means "brown" or "son of Basil". It is also associated with the Norman French name 'Benoît', which means "blessed".
The surname Benson has a long and illustrious history, with many notable bearers throughout the centuries. One of the earliest records of the name was in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as a landholder in Lincolnshire, England.
The given name Benson was not widely used until the late Middle Ages, but it gained popularity over time, particularly in English-speaking countries. Today, it is still considered a unique and distinctive name, often associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
Some famous people with the surname Benson include the American actress and singer, Bernadette Peters, born Bernadette Lazzara, and the British author and poet, E.F. Benson, whose works included the Mapp and Lucia series of novels. In addition, the former Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, was also a member of the Benson family.
In conclusion, Benson is an interesting and historic name with Anglo-Saxon origins that has been associated with many notable individuals throughout history. Its meaning, "brown" or "son of Basil", adds to its uniqueness and appeal as a given name.
Here are some interesting statistics about the given name Benson:
In the United States, Benson has seen a slight increase in popularity over recent years, with 5 babies named Benson in 2015 and 6 babies named Benson in 2021. This indicates that while it's not one of the most common names, there is a steady interest in naming children Benson.
Over this six-year period (2015-2021), a total of 11 babies were named Benson in the United States. This demonstrates that while Benson might not be a name at the top of many parents' lists, it has maintained a consistent presence among new births during these years.
However, it is important to note that popularity can vary greatly from year to year and region to region. Therefore, while Benson may not rank high nationally, it could potentially be more popular in certain areas or states within the United States.
Moreover, trends in baby naming often change over time. It will be interesting to see if Benson continues to hold steady or if its popularity increases or decreases in coming years.
In conclusion, based on these statistics, Benson is not a particularly common name but it has maintained some level of consistency in terms of new births over the past six years in the United States.