UK boy's name
Benjamen
Son of the right hand, from Hebrew meaning "son of the south" or "son of the right side".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Benjamen is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Benjamen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 10 births.
This profile covers 80 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 79 living people in the UK are called Benjamen. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Benjamen ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 10 boys were registered as Benjamen.
- • About 79 living people in the UK are estimated to have Benjamen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4805
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
10 births
Estimated living
79
2026
Meaning
What does Benjamen mean?
The name Benjamen is derived from the Hebrew name Binyamin, which means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south". It originated from the biblical figure Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The name Benjamen has been in use since ancient times and can be found in various religious texts and historical records. In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and his tribe was known for its bravery and strength in battle.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Benjamen dates back to the 6th century BC, when it was found inscribed on a clay tablet from ancient Babylon. This suggests that the name was in use among Hebrew communities in the region at that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Benjamen. One of the most famous was Benjamen Franklin (1706-1790), the American polymath, author, inventor, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Another prominent figure was Benjamen Disraeli (1804-1881), a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 19th century. He was known for his contributions to the Conservative Party and his advocacy for the British Empire.
In the field of science, Benjamen Silliman (1779-1864) was an American chemist and geologist who made significant contributions to the development of modern chemistry and geology.
The name Benjamen was also shared by Benjamen Banneker (1731-1806), an African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer who played a crucial role in surveying the original boundaries of Washington, D.C.
Lastly, Benjamen Britten (1913-1976) was a renowned English composer, conductor, and musician, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century classical music.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Benjamen throughout history, showcasing its enduring legacy and cultural significance across various domains.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Benjamen over time
The chart below shows babies named Benjamen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Benjamen, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Benjamen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Benjamen was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4335 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #2862 | 39 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1454 | 34 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Benjamen
- Benjamin 90,412
- Ben 36,356
- Bradley 30,230
- Brandon 26,411
- Billy 18,608
- Bobby 16,904
- Blake 16,337
- Bailey 16,014
- Brody 7,230
- Beau 6,722
- Barnaby 5,284
- Brodie 4,801
FAQ
Benjamen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Benjamen in the UK right now?
In 2012, Benjamen was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Benjamen most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 10 babies registered as Benjamen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Benjamen?
Son of the right hand, from Hebrew meaning "son of the south" or "son of the right side".
How many people are called Benjamen in the UK?
A total of 80 babies have been registered as Benjamen across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.