Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the root word "ben" which means "son." The name Benjamin was originally given to one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament of the Bible. According to the story, Rachel, the wife of Jacob, gave birth to her twelfth son on the verge of death and named him Benjamin, saying "Ben Oni," meaning "son of my right hand."
The name Benjamin has also been popular among different cultures throughout history. It was the name of two early Christian saints, including St. Benedict of Nursia who founded the Benedictine order in the 6th century. In literature, Benjamin is a character in Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities" and in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
In English-speaking countries today, Benjamin remains a popular choice for baby boys. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 names in the United States since the early 20th century. In France, it has been one of the most popular boys' names for decades, often ranking in the top five.
Overall, Benjamin is a name with a rich history and meaningful roots, making it a beloved choice for parents around the world.
The given statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the popularity of the name Benjamin over time in the United States.
In the early to mid-20th century, the birth count for the name Benjamin varied quite a bit from year to year. From 1914 to 1950, the number of babies named Benjamin ranged from as low as 5 births in certain years to a peak of 38 births in 1973.
However, starting around the late 1960s and early 1970s, we see a significant increase in the popularity of the name Benjamin. The highest point in this period was reached in 1975 with 63 births, which is more than double the number of births from just five years prior.
This trend continues throughout the late 20th century and into the early 21st century, with Benjamin consistently being among the most popular boys' names. The name peaked again in 2004 with an impressive 67 births, but has since decreased slightly over time.
As of 2022, there were 8 babies named Benjamin born in the United States, bringing the total number of Benjamins born in the country to 2468 since 1914.