Benjamin is a male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "son of the right hand". It is derived from the Hebrew name Benjamin, which was borne by one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Old Testament. In the Bible, Benjamin was known for his strength and courage.
The name Benjamin first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, brought over by French Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It has since become a popular choice among English-speaking countries, ranking consistently in the top 500 names for boys in the United States since the late 19th century.
Some notable individuals named Benjamin include:
* Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a renowned scientist, inventor, statesman, and author.
* Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1874 and again from 1874 to 1880.
* Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer, conductor, and pianist, known for his modernist musical style and his prolific output in a variety of genres.
The name Benjamin has also been used in literature and popular culture, appearing as characters in works such as Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
In terms of its popularity, the name Benjamin reached its peak in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s, ranking within the top 25 names for boys from 1998 to 2006. While it has since declined slightly in popularity, it remains a popular choice among parents today.
Overall, Benjamin is a strong and timeless name with a rich historical background that continues to be favored by many families around the world.
"In 1912, there were five individuals named Benjamin born."