Benjamin - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Benjamin \b(e)-nja-min, ben-jamin\ is pronounced BEN-ja-men. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "son of the right hand; son of the south; son of my old age". Biblical: Benyamin was the 12th, youngest and most beloved son of the patriarch Jacob and Rachel, and was originally named Benoni. In the Middle Ages, it was often given to sons whose mothers had died in childbirth, though it has no such connotations today. Brought into use by the Puritans until the end of the 19th century. After several decades of disuse, came back to great popularity by the 1970s. Ben is the short form; Benjie, Bennie, and Benny are pet forms. Diplomat and inventor Benjamin Franklin; US President Benjamin Harrison; jazz musician Benny Goodman; pediatrician and oracle Benjamin Spock; British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli; actor Benjamin Bratt.

Benjamin has 29 variant forms: Ben, Benejamen, Beniamino, Benjaman, Benjamen, Benjamino, Benjamon, Benjee, Benjey, Benji, Benjie, Benjiman, Benjimen, Benjy, Benn, Bennie, Benno, Benny, Benyamin, Benyamino, Bibi, Binyamin, Binyamino, Jamin, Veniamin, Venyamin, Yamin, Yamino and Yemin.

Benjamin is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Benjamin. Click here to compare Benjamin with related baby names.