The name Benna is of Hebrew origin and means "son of the south". It is a variant spelling of the name Benjamin, which is derived from the Hebrew word ben-amin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "favorite son".
According to Jewish tradition, Benjamin was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the father of the tribe of Benjamin. In the Bible, Benjamin was known for his strength and courage in battle.
The name Benna is not particularly common, but it has been used by a few notable figures throughout history. One example is Benna ben Mechallal, a Jewish sage who lived during the Second Temple period. Another is Benna of Crete, a Byzantine general who played a significant role in the defense of Crete against Arab invasions.
Today, Benna is still a relatively rare name, but it continues to be used by families around the world. It is often chosen for its unique sound and its meaningful origins.
The name Benna experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with its peak occurring between 1947 and 1952 when it reached a high of 11 births per year. However, it seems to have fallen out of favor by the late 1950s and early 1960s, as there were only 6 births in 1962. After a significant gap, there were once again 6 births in 2003 and 8 births in 2013, suggesting a possible resurgence in popularity for the name Benna. In total, there have been 186 births with this name since 1920.