Benjamin is a male given name of Hebrew origin. It means "son of the right hand" or "favored son." In Hebrew culture, the right hand is associated with strength and favor, making Benjamin a fitting name for a beloved child.
The name Benjamin appears in the Bible as one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was himself the son of Isaac and Rebekah. According to the story, Rachel, Jacobs' favorite wife, gave birth to Benjamin during her final days. As such, Benjamin was named after Rachel's request that she might be remembered by him after her death.
Throughout history, the name Benjamin has been associated with notable figures in various fields. For instance, Benjamin Franklin, one of America's founding fathers, was a polymath known for his many achievements in science, politics, and inventions. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 2009 to 2021.
Today, the name Benuel is a variant spelling of Benjamin. While not as commonly used as Benjamin itself, Benuel retains the same Hebrew origins and meaning. It remains a strong and meaningful name choice for parents looking for a name with deep historical roots and positive connotations.
The name Benuel has been used consistently for newborns over the past seven decades in the United States, with a total of 886 babies given this name since 1945. The earliest records show that eight boys were named Benuel in 1946 and six in 1945. However, it wasn't until the late 1960s that the number of births featuring this name began to rise consistently.
In the years between 1966 and 1978, there was a steady increase in the usage of Benuel as a baby boy's name, with peaks occurring in 1977 (15 births) and 1983 (13 births). This upward trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with years such as 1986 to 1994 averaging around 15-20 births per year.
Notably, Benuel reached its highest popularity in recent years, with a significant increase from 32 births in 2022 to 33 births in 2021, and then an even higher number of 27 births recorded in 2023. This suggests that the name Benuel has seen a resurgence in recent times.
It's fascinating to observe how the usage of this name has evolved over time, with periods of decline followed by renewed popularity. Despite fluctuations, it's clear that Benuel remains an enduring choice for parents when selecting names for their newborn sons.