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Benjamin name meaning
First Name
764k
in the U.S.
since 1880
764k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
41k
in the U.S.
in 2010
41k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Benjamin mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Benjamin
User Submitted Origins
Hebrew
59%
English
38%
Chinese
3%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to 3 people from all over the world, the name Benjamin is of Hebrew origin and means "Son of the right hand of god".
- A user from Pennsylvania, U.S. says the name Benjamin is of Hebrew origin and means "One of the 12 Hebrew tribes. Son of the right hand of god".
- A submission from New York, U.S. says the name Benjamin means "In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Benjamin is: Son of my right hand. Many Jewish families named their youngest child Benjamin. Famous bearers" and is of African American origin.
- 7 submissions from all over the world agree the name Benjamin means "Son of the right hand" and is of Hebrew origin.
- 2 people from Australia and the United Kingdom agree the name Benjamin is of English origin and means "Son of my right hand".
- A user from Texas, U.S. says the name Benjamin is of American origin and means "Son of right hand".
- A submission from California, U.S. says the name Benjamin means "'Son of the right hand' and also 'son of the north'" and is of Hebrew origin.
- 3 submissions from all over the world agree the name Benjamin means "Right hand of God" and is of Hebrew origin.
- According to 2 people from the United Kingdom and the United States, the name Benjamin is of Hebrew origin and means "God's right hand".
- A submission from Virginia, U.S. says the name Benjamin means "Cherished son" and is of English origin.
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Ben"ja*min
See Benzoin.
Etymology: Corrupted from benzoin
noun Ben"ja*min
A kind of upper coat for men.
Other Dictionary Sources
- (Old Testament) the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel and one of the twelve forebears of the tribes of Israel
- Gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
Wiktionary
From Late Latin Benjamin, from Ancient Greek Βενιαμίν (Beniamín), from Biblical Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין (binyamīn, literally “son of the right/south or son of days”). Authorities differ on the meaning of the original Hebrew. Philo of Alexandria, the Samaritan Pentateuch The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs and Midrash Leḳaḥ-Ṭob understand יָמִין to mean "days" (a meaning attested in Daniel 12:13) understanding the name to mean "son of days (i.e. old age)", a formula paraphrased in Genesis 40:22 where Benjamin is described as a child of Jacob's old age. Rashi in his commentary on Genesis also gives this as a possible meaning but favors an understanding of יָמִין to mean "right" in the sense of "the south", noting that Benjamin was the only son of Jacob born in the south. Jerome understood the name to mean "son of the right hand" and Gesenius speculated that this expression might have meant "son of good fortune".
- The youngest of the sons of Jacob and Rachel in the Bible.
- A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.
- A small city, the county seat of Knox County, Texas, United States.
- (US, slang) A US$100 bill, which bears a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. Often used in the plural form to indicate large sums of money.
Benjamin was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano, Danish, Faroese, Finnish, French, German, Latin, Manx, Norwegian, and Swedish
Notable Persons Named Benjamin
Notable Persons Named Benjamin
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is an actor and filmmaker. His ongoing career started in 1981. Ben was given the name Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt on August 15th, 1972 in Berkeley, California, United States.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was a 6th President of Pennsylvania, United States Minister to Sweden, United States Minister to France, 1st United States Postmaster General, Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, United States Ambassador to Sweden, United States Ambassador to France, and . Benjamin was born on January 17th, 1706 in Boston. He died on April 17th, 1790.
Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro is a columnist, lawyer, author, pundit, talk show, attorney, political commentator, and radio talk show host. Ben was given the name Benjamin Aaron Shapiro on January 15th, 1984 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ben Foster
Ben Foster is an actor. He has had major accomplishments since 1996. Ben was given the name Benjamin A. Foster on October 29th, 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller is an actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He was most prominent from 1980 to present. Ben was given the name Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller by his parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on November 30th, 1965 in New York City, New York, U.S.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu is a Prime Minister of Israel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel), Leader of the Opposition (Israel), and Ministry of Finance (Israel). Benjamin was born on October 21st, 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Ben BarnesActor
- Benjamin Harrison23rd President of the United States
- Benjamin BrattActor
- B. J. NovakActor
- Benjamin WalkerActor
- Ben McKenzieActor
- Benjamin Millepied
- Ben FalconeActor
- Jack BennyActor
- Ben SteinWriter
- Ben HarperMusician
- Benny GoodmanMusician
- Theodor HerzlJournalist
- Ben GibbardMusician
Notable Persons With the Last Name Benjamin
Notable Persons With the Last Name Benjamin
H. Jon Benjamin
H. Jon Benjamin is a comedian. H. was given the name Harry Jon Benjamin on May 23rd, 1966 in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
André 3000
André 3000 is a hip hop music, funk, jazz, rhythm, and blues musician. He has had major accomplishments since 1991. André was given the name André Lauren Benjamin on May 27th, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. André is also known as Andre 3K • Dre • 3 Stacks • Johnny Vulture.
Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin is a wrestler. Shelton was born on July 9th, 1975 in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Walter Benjamin
Walter Benjamin was a philosopher. Walter was born on July 15th, 1892 in Berlin. He passed away on September 26th, 1940.
Richard Benjamin
Richard Benjamin is an actor, film director, film producer, director, and producer. His most notable accomplishments were from 1962 to present. Richard was born on May 22nd, 1938 in New York City, New York, United States.
Kelvin Benjamin
Kelvin Benjamin is a football player for the Carolina Panthers. Kelvin was born on February 5th, 1991 in Belle Glade, Florida.
Common last names for Benjamin
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Benjamin | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 49.04% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 41.58% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 2.49% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.90% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.61% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 3.38% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Benjamin
People with the last name Benjamin are most frequently White or African American
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Benjamin
| #43 | Most Popular Boy Names |
| #30 | Classic Boy Names |