Benjamin (name)


Benjamin is a popular given name for males, derived from Hebrew, Binyāmīn, translating as "Son of my right ", though in the Samaritan Pentateuch, the name appears as "Binyaamem" "Son of my days".
Benjamin is often shortened to Ben, sometimes to Benny, or Benji. It is also a patronymic surname. Like many biblical names, it is popular in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths alike, having many variant forms in other languages.
The "Benjamin of the family" is a phrase used in several languages to refer to the youngest son—especially when he is much younger than his brothers. Sometimes the name is chosen for a son born to mature parents unlikely to have more children, especially if he has several older siblings. Both of these usages derive from the biblical son of Jacob of that name, who occupied that position in his family. In some languages, by extension, it is also applied to the runt of a litter of animals.

Given name

Notable people with the name Benjamin or its variant spellings include: