Name meaning & stats

Benjamin

Benjamin means “son of the right hand” (Hebrew origin). 762,288 US babies since 1940, peak 1989. Notable Benjamins are 1.5× over-represented as writers.

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What it means

“son of the right hand”

HebrewDebated

In US birth records

Peak year: 1989

762,288 US babies were named Benjamin between 1940 and 2025.

Where Benjamins end up

Career	vs expected	Confidence
Actor	1.3×	High · 63 people
Writer	1.5×	High · 55 people
Basketball player	1.1×	High · 49 people
Professor	1.1×	High · 42 people

Among notable men who are writers, Benjamins show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.

Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.

One more thing…

Benjamin has a surprise career: 1.9×

Reveal it in Benjamin's story

Spelling family

Benjamin is the main spelling

Benjamin 99%
Benjamen <1%
Benjiman <1%
Benjamine <1%
Benjaman <1%
Benjamyn <1%
Benjimin <1%
Benjimen <1%

Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.

Name twins (peaked around 1989)