Origin, Meaning, And History Of Benson
Benson is a patronymic name derived from the English surname meaning ‘son of Ben’ or ‘son of Benedict.’ Benedict, in turn, is derived from the Late Latin name Benedictus meaning ‘blessed.’
Although Benson is a rare first name, it is a common last name in many English-speaking countries.
Benson is also believed to be a patronymic variant of Benne, the medieval first name and pet name for Benedict. Another theory suggests that it could be a habitational name for people coming from a place of the same name in Oxfordshire. The place’s name is a derivation of the Old English word Benesingtūn meaning ‘settlement associated with Benesa,’ where Benesa is a personal name. It could also be the Americanized form of different Scandinavian names such as Bengtsson, Berntsson, Bendtsen, or Bernsson and the patronymic forms Bendt and Bengt. Additionally, according to its German origin, Benson is a patronymic form of Benjamin or Bernhard.
The name Benson has found popularity in recent years. It has been used sporadically as a first name in the US since 1880. However, as a surname, its usage may be dated back to the 14th century.
Now let us look at the influence of Benson in pop culture through its appearance in the fictional world of entertainment. First, we have theBensonTV sitcom series with Benson DuBois as the titular character, played by Robert Guillaume. Next, animated sitcom fans may be familiar with Benson, one of the main characters and the gumball machine in theRegular Show. ForLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitviewers, Olivia Benson, the main protagonist, is no stranger. In the Show, the role is played by Mariska Hargitay. Furthermore, the popular sitcomiCarlyfeaturesFredward “Freddie” Bensonas a main character. And finally,Barry B. Bensonis the main character in all-time favorite theBee Movie. In the movie, he is the bee who embarks on a mission to save their species and break the barrier between them and humans.
How To Pronounce Benson?
Famous People With The Name Benson
- Annette BensonBritish actress from the silent film era, known for her role in the movie Shooting Stars
- Jodi BensonAmerican actress and singer, known for lending her voice to Ariel in The Little Mermaid, for which she earned the Disney Legend Award in the Animated Voice category
- Gordon BensonBritish triathlete and a gold medalist in the 2015 European Games
- Wendy BensonAmerican actress, known for her roles in Unhappily Ever After and Desperate Housewives
Benson On The Popularity Chart
After remaining a virtually uncommon name throughout the 80s and 90s, Benson has seen some activity in recent years. Let us look at these graphs by the Social Security of Administration to see its movement in the US.
Popularity Over Time
According to the graph, after 2001, the name’s popularity grew exponentially and peaked in 2016 when 729 babies per million were given this name.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Benson’s rank graph shows a smooth decline over the years. It ranked highest at 13317th in 1980, after which its position slipped to 21642nd in 2007
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sounds To Benson
Benson is a name with a strong sound. If you like its ring, here are some other phonetically similar names.
Popular Sibling Names For Benson
Other Popular Names Beginning With B
Names With Similar Meanings As Benson
If you liked the meaning of the name, here are some other options for you. These names have a similar meaning to Benson and will be great choices for siblings too.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Benson
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Benson?
The name Benson means son of benjamin.
2. What is the origin of the name Benson?
Benson has an English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Benson?
Benson is pronounced as ben-son.
