Given name & surname
Benjamen
“son of the right hand”·“son of the south”
Benjamen is a variant of Benjamin. Two leading interpretations are “son of the right hand” and “son of the south.” The Hebrew element yamin can refer to either the right side or the south.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Benjamen is a variant of Benjamin. Two leading interpretations are “son of the right hand” and “son of the south.” The Hebrew element yamin can refer to either the right side or the south.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Benjamen is a variant of Benjamin. Benjamin comes from Hebrew Benyamin and has established use in English, French, and German as well as Jewish naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
Benjamen is a variant of Benjamin. The shared background comes through Benjamin: Benjamin combines the idea of a son with yamin. A different traditional explanation links the second element with years, giving the sense “son of my old age”; it is an alternative interpretation, not a settled translation.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1884. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Benjamen is a variant of Benjamin. The history of Benjamin gives this family its wider story. In Genesis, Benjamin is Jacob’s youngest son. Rachel first names him Benoni, and Jacob changes the name to Benyamin. This family story is central to the name’s biblical associations.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Benjamen through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,687
- 3,687 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1990
- 99 babies
- 2025
- 7
- #9,831 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −46%
- Cooling
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 7 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 9,831 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 46.2% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 99 in 1990. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,116 as a first name in 2020; 116 as a surname in 2000.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Benjamen’s family of names
Benjamen has a related form in Benjamin.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Benjamen, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Benjimen
“son of the right hand” · “son of the south”
>99% boys
Eran
“one who has been awakened”
>99% boys
Efrain
“one who is tertile; productive” · “fruitful”
>99% boys
Neco
“striker” · “smiter”
>99% boys
Daneal
“God is my judge” · “the champion”
81% boys · 19% girls
Ruben
“behold, a son!”
>99% boys
Barnaby
“son of consolation” · “the son of the prophet; the son of encouragement”
>99% boys
Adamo
“man” · “of the earth”
>99% boys