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Benaiah

♂ Boy

Pronounced beh-NY-ah /bɛˈnaɪ.ə/Low

Meaning: God has built; son of YahwehLow

In 30 seconds: Benaiah is a Hebrew name meaning God has built or son of Yahweh. In the Old Testament, Benaiah was one of King David's mighty men and a courageous warrior who killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
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Origin LowHebrew
MeaningGod has built; son of Yahweh
U.S. rank (2024)#1278 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births153 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,233

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119762024

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

History & Origin

Benaiah comes from the Hebrew Benayah meaning God has built or built by Yahweh. He appears prominently in 2 Samuel 23 as one of King David's most capable warriors and was later appointed by Solomon as commander of the army.

Benaiah is used in Christian communities who appreciate its vivid Old Testament warrior heritage. Its three syllables have a noble sound and its meaning of being built by God carries powerful spiritual weight.

Did you know? Benaiah son of Jehoiada is described as one of King David's most extraordinary warriors. Among his feats: he went down and struck a lion in a pit on a snowy day (2 Samuel 23:20) — making him one of the Bible's most vivid warrior-heroes.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Benaiah

Variations

BenaiasBenayahBenaya

Nicknames

BenBeni

Famous Bearers

  • ★Benaiah (biblical)
    One of King David's mighty men who killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day (2 Samuel 23:20)

If you like Benaiah…

Eliyahu— Hebrew prophet name of same authentic tradition
Nathaniel— Hebrew God-has-given name of same biblical depth
Ezekiel— Hebrew four-syllable name of same Old Testament warrior tradition
Jedidiah— Hebrew beloved-of-God name of same King David connection

Frequently Asked

What does Benaiah mean?

Benaiah means God has built or built by Yahweh in Hebrew.

Who was Benaiah in the Bible?

Benaiah was one of King David's mighty men who killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day (2 Samuel 23:20) and later served as Solomon's army commander.

How do you pronounce Benaiah?

Benaiah is pronounced beh-NY-ah with three syllables.

What names are similar to Benaiah?

Similar Hebrew names include Eliyahu, Nathaniel, and Ezekiel.