Ben

♂ Boy

Pronounced BEN /bɛn/High

Meaning: Short form of Benjamin (son of the right hand) or Benedict (blessed); also used as a standalone name derived directly from the Hebrew ben meaning 'son'High

In 30 seconds: Ben is a classic one-syllable Hebrew name meaning son of the right hand or simply son. Universally recognized, warmly approachable, and steeped in history from the Founding Fathers to Hollywood.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningShort form of Benjamin (son of the right hand) or Benedict (blessed); also used as a standalone name derived directly from the Hebrew ben meaning 'son'

U.S. rank (2025)#843 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births292 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 85,341

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ben is a short form of Benjamin, from Hebrew Binyamin (son of the right hand), or of Benedict, from Latin Benedictus (blessed). The Hebrew word ben itself simply means 'son' and appears throughout the Hebrew Bible as a prefix in names and place names. As a standalone given name, Ben carries the essence of all the longer Ben- names distilled into a single syllable.

Ben has been used as both a nickname and an independent name in English-speaking countries for centuries. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most celebrated Founding Fathers of the United States, is often called Ben, cementing the name's American patriotic dimension. Actor Ben Kingsley, actor Ben Affleck, and many others have maintained the name's solid contemporary presence.

Did you know? Big Ben, the famous clock tower beside the Houses of Parliament in London, is believed to be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Commissioner of Works when the bell was hung in 1858 — making Ben one of the few names to grace one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Ben — Hebrew etymology as short form of BenjaminU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BenjaminBenedictBennett

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
American Founding Father, inventor of the lightning rod, and diplomat who secured French support during the American Revolution.
★Ben Kingsley (1943–present)
British actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gandhi in the 1982 film.

If you like Ben…

Sam— same one-syllable biblical name with classic American friendliness

Max— shares the crisp, strong, one-syllable standalone quality

Tom— fellow monosyllabic classic that works as both a standalone and a short form

Jake— same category of simple, warm, one-syllable English given names

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ben mean?

Ben means son of the right hand as a short form of Benjamin, or blessed as a short form of Benedict; the Hebrew ben itself means son.

How do you pronounce Ben?

It is said BEN, one syllable.

Is Ben a popular name?

Ben has been consistently popular in English-speaking countries for centuries, both as a standalone and as a short form.

Is Ben short for Benjamin?

Ben is most commonly short for Benjamin, though it is also a short form of Benedict and can be used independently.