Benjamin is a male given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning is "son of the right hand," which signifies strength and power. The name Benjamin is derived from the Hebrew word ben, meaning "son," and the word yamin, meaning "right hand." In the Old Testament, Benjamin was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Rachel, and his tribe became one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The name Benjamin has been used throughout history by various notable figures. For example, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was named after Benjamin of the Bible. Additionally, King Benjamin I of Macedon, who ruled from 360-343 BC, was also named after this biblical figure.
Today, Benjamin remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons. It has consistently ranked among the top 1,000 names for boys in the United States since the early 20th century. Variations of the name include Bennie, Benji, Benny, and Ben. Some common nicknames associated with the name Benjamin are Ben, Benz, and Benn.
Overall, the name Benjamin has a rich history and meaning that spans centuries and cultures. Its biblical origins and association with strength and power continue to make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their son.
The name Benjamin has been popular among parents in the United States over the years, with a total of 2024 babies named Benjamin between 1880 and 2020.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that the number of births varied significantly from year to year. The highest number of births was recorded in 1975, with 38 newborns named Benjamin. This is more than twice the number of births recorded in some other years.
However, it's worth noting that the popularity of the name Benjamin has not been consistent over time. For example, there were no recorded births named Benjamin between 1902 and 1904, and only six births in total between 1963 and 1974 combined.
More recently, the number of births named Benjamin has decreased, with five or fewer births recorded each year from 2009 to 2020. Despite this decrease in popularity, Benjamin remains a classic and timeless name that many parents continue to choose for their children.