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Gender
Masculine
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Origin of the Name Benjamin
Hebrew
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Usage of the Name Benjamin
English, German, Dutch, French, Biblical
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Meaning of the Name Benjamin
The name Benjamin comes from the Hebrew name Binyamin.
In the Old Testament Benjamin was the son of Jacob and Rachel. When Benjamin's mother died in childbirth, she gave him the name Benoni meaning "son of my sorrow". His father, however, renamed him Binyamin, because he didn't want his son to bear such a sinister name.
The name Binyamin has several possible meanings:
1. From "bin" - "son" and "yamin" - "south". All of Jacob's sons were born in Mesopotamia to the north except for Binyamin, who was born in Canaan to the south.
2. From "bin" - "son" and "yamin" - "my right hand or side". The right side of the body is stronger, and the name implies "son of my strength".
3. From "bin" - "son" and "yamim" - "my days/years". Binyamin was Jacob's last son, so the name might mean "son of my old age".
The Old Testament Benjamin was the favored brother of Joseph and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin, whence came King Saul. After the split of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the Tribe of Benjamin allied with King David in Judah.
The name was used throughout the Middle Ages and became even more popular after The Graduate (1967), a film about a young man named Benjamin Braddock.
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Interesting Facts about Benjamin
- A Benjamin tree is an aromatic plant that produces the perfumery ingredient benzoin.
- Benjamin can be used to describe the youngest and favorite son based on the Old Testament Benjamin's role within his family.
- Also related to the Biblical meaning, Benjamin's mess or Benjamin's portion refers to the largest share.
- Benjamin Willard is the main character in Apocalypse Now (1979), a film by Francis Ford Coppola.
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Famous Bearers
Bearers of the name include St. Benjamin (329 - c. 424), a Persian saint and martyr;
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), an American statesman, scientist, philosopher, and inventor;
Benjamin Banneker (1731 - 1806), an American astronomer and mathematician;
Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881), an English politician;
Benjamin Fondane (1898 - 1944), a Romanian-French poet, philosopher, and critic;
Edward Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), an English composer and conductor;
Benjamin Biolay (born 1973), a French singer, songwriter, musician, and actor;
Benjamin McKenzie (born 1978), an American actor and producer.
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Names Related to Benjamin
List of names related to Benjamin.
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