Benjamin
From Late Latin Benjamin, from Ancient Greek Βενιαμίν (Beniamín), from Biblical Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין (binyamīn, literally “son of the right/south or son of days”).
Every Benjamin since 1880 — 829,312 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Benjamin
Benjamin is a top-50 name for boys in the United States, ranked #11 in 2025 with 9,762 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 829,312 American babies have been named Benjamin. Its peak came in 1989, when 15,788 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Benjamin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Benjamin year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,099 | 9,762 | #11 |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,741 | 9,865 | #11 |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,349 | 10,224 | #11 |
| 2022 | 10 | #9,798 | 10,912 | #9 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8,558 | 11,895 | #7 |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,662 | 12,264 | #7 |
| 2019 | 14 | #7,801 | 13,044 | #7 |
| 2018 | 20 | #6,050 | 13,488 | #6 |
| 2017 | 9 | #10,829 | 13,858 | #6 |
| 2016 | 12 | #8,981 | 14,686 | #6 |
| 2015 | 18 | #6,764 | 13,732 | #10 |
| 2014 | 17 | #7,037 | 13,830 | #12 |
| 2013 | 19 | #6,511 | 13,515 | #14 |
| 2012 | 15 | #7,870 | 12,835 | #16 |
| 2011 | 24 | #5,572 | 13,082 | #19 |
| 2010 | 23 | #5,805 | 12,439 | #22 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10,081 | 13,123 | #19 |
| 2008 | 22 | #6,159 | 12,958 | #25 |
| 2007 | 17 | #7,439 | 13,282 | #26 |
| 2006 | 12 | #9,381 | 13,766 | #24 |
| 2005 | 19 | #6,304 | 13,586 | #25 |
| 2004 | 67 | #2,509 | 13,832 | #25 |
| 2003 | 22 | #5,447 | 14,086 | #24 |
| 2002 | 26 | #4,653 | 13,492 | #27 |
| 2001 | 17 | #6,368 | 14,339 | #27 |
| 2000 | 24 | #4,811 | 14,845 | #26 |
| 1995 | 23 | #4,362 | 12,720 | #31 |
| 1990 | 39 | #2,907 | 14,633 | #33 |
| 1985 | 88 | #1,432 | 13,423 | #31 |
| 1980 | 80 | #1,494 | 13,622 | #32 |
| 1975 | 47 | #1,910 | 9,544 | #36 |
| 1970 | 22 | #3,038 | 3,926 | #81 |
| 1965 | 15 | #3,275 | 2,337 | #133 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,466 | 2,249 | #155 |
| 1955 | 10 | #3,799 | 2,449 | #132 |
| 1950 | 8 | #3,986 | 2,185 | #123 |
| 1945 | 8 | #3,410 | 1,562 | #140 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3,904 | 1,446 | #128 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,454 | 1,409 | #123 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,384 | 1,594 | #115 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,697 | 2,069 | #93 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,443 | 2,309 | #83 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,470 | 2,241 | #71 |
| 1910 | — | — | 536 | #70 |
| 1905 | — | — | 379 | #68 |
| 1900 | — | — | 450 | #57 |
| 1895 | — | — | 452 | #48 |
| 1890 | — | — | 537 | #37 |
| 1885 | — | — | 464 | #38 |
| 1880 | — | — | 490 | #32 |
Famous people named Benjamin
- Benjamin Franklin Politician · 1706–1790
- Benjamin Netanyahu Politician · b. 1949
- Benjamin Harrison Politician · 1833–1901
- Benjamin Disraeli Politician · 1804–1881
- Benjamin Britten Composer · 1913–1976
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Benjamin mean?
From Late Latin Benjamin, from Ancient Greek Βενιαμίν (Beniamín), from Biblical Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין (binyamīn, literally “son of the right/south or son of days”).
How popular is the name Benjamin in 2025?
Benjamin ranked #11 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9,762 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Benjamin?
829,312 babies have been named Benjamin in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Benjamin most popular?
Benjamin peaked in 1989, when 15,788 newborns received the name.
Is Benjamin a boy or girl name?
Benjamin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Benjamin rising or falling?
Benjamin is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Benjamin?
Well-known people named Benjamin include Benjamin Franklin (politician), Benjamin Netanyahu (politician), Benjamin Harrison (politician).