The name Benna is of Hebrew origin and means "son of the south". It is a variant spelling of the name Benjamin, which is derived from the Hebrew word ben-amin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "favorite son".
According to Jewish tradition, Benjamin was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the father of the tribe of Benjamin. In the Bible, Benjamin was known for his strength and courage in battle.
The name Benna is not particularly common, but it has been used by a few notable figures throughout history. One example is Benna ben Mechallal, a Jewish sage who lived during the Second Temple period. Another is Benna of Crete, a Byzantine general who played a significant role in the defense of Crete against Arab invasions.
Today, Benna is still a relatively rare name, but it continues to be used by families around the world. It is often chosen for its unique sound and its meaningful origins.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Benna has had varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 186 births recorded between 1920 and 2013.
The name's peak in popularity occurred during the mid-20th century. Between 1947 and 1952, there were more than 10 births per year, reaching as high as 11 births in both 1947 and 1951. This decade-long period of consistent higher-than-average popularity suggests that Benna may have been a favored name among parents during this time.
However, the years leading up to and after this peak show a more varied trend. From 1920 to 1946, there were fewer than 10 births per year, with some years seeing as few as 5 births. After 1958, the name's popularity declined further, with only a handful of births recorded in 1962, 2003, and 2008.
The most recent data point from 2013 shows a slight resurgence in popularity with 8 births, indicating that while Benna may not be as popular today as it was during the mid-20th century, it is still being chosen by parents for their children. Overall, these statistics demonstrate how the popularity of the name Benna has evolved over nearly a century in the United States.