Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "ben" meaning "son," and "ami" meaning "friend." Thus, Benjamin translates to "son of the right hand" or "son of my right hand," which can also be interpreted as "favored son" or "beloved son."
The name Benjamin appears in the Bible as one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who himself was the son of Isaac and Rebecca. According to the story, Benjamin was born just after his mother Rachel died in childbirth. In some interpretations, Rachel had named her son before she passed away.
Throughout history, the name Benjamin has been popular among various cultures and religions. It has been used by famous figures such as Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, and Benjamin Disraeli, a British statesman during the Victorian era.
Today, Benjamin remains a widely recognized and beloved name around the world, often associated with intelligence, strength, and compassion.
In the United States, there was a total of 5 babies named Benjamin born annually in 1988.