Alexander
Greek
“defending men”
Mostly boys · Hebrew
“son of the right hand”
Say it BEN-juh-minPronunciation may vary by region.
A little maybe, saved for later.
The story behind the name
Benjamin comes from the Hebrew Binyamin and is traditionally translated as son of the right hand. In Genesis, Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, giving the name a longstanding biblical connection.
The full name has a formal, traditional feel, while Ben offers a straightforward everyday option. That contrast can suit parents who want a longer birth name with a familiar short form.
A little perspective
Recorded US births over time
| Year | Category | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 11 | 9,762 |
| 2025 | Girls | 11,099 | 8 |
| 2024 | Boys | 11 | 9,865 |
| 2024 | Girls | 13,741 | 6 |
| 2023 | Boys | 11 | 10,224 |
| 2023 | Girls | 11,349 | 8 |
| 2022 | Boys | 9 | 10,912 |
| 2022 | Girls | 9,798 | 10 |
| 2021 | Boys | 7 | 11,895 |
| 2021 | Girls | 8,558 | 12 |
| 2020 | Boys | 7 | 12,264 |
| 2020 | Girls | 9,662 | 10 |
| 2019 | Boys | 7 | 13,044 |
| 2019 | Girls | 7,801 | 14 |
| 2018 | Boys | 6 | 13,488 |
| 2018 | Girls | 6,050 | 20 |
| 2017 | Boys | 6 | 13,858 |
| 2017 | Girls | 10,829 | 9 |
| 2016 | Boys | 6 | 14,686 |
| 2016 | Girls | 8,981 | 12 |
| 2015 | Boys | 10 | 13,732 |
| 2015 | Girls | 6,764 | 18 |
| 2014 | Boys | 12 | 13,830 |
| 2014 | Girls | 7,037 | 17 |
Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.
Keep the possibilities coming
More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.
Greek
“defending men”
French from German
“free man”
English, diminutive of John
“God is gracious”
English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
“supplanter”
Greek
“man from Lucania”
Hebrew
“told by God”