Rising since 1985, #1,169 for boys today.
Popularity of Benaiah since 1976
Babies named Benaiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 24 |
| 1980s | 58 |
| 1990s | 118 |
| 2000s | 264 |
| 2010s | 1,076 |
| 2020s | 876 |
Meaning & origin
Benaiah has traveled a remarkable arc since its first U.S. appearance in 1976, when it was virtually unknown. Its steady climb accelerated in the 2020s, and it reached its peak rank of 1,169 in 2025. In that year, approximately 1 in 9,705 newborn boys received the name. Benaiah's rise since 1985 underscores a broader revival of Old Testament names among families seeking distinctive, biblically-rooted choices. The name's most popular states are Iowa, Tennessee, and Arizona, where religious and cultural traditions favor strong Hebrew names. Like many Old Testament figures, Benaiah carries a meaning of divine action, which resonates with parents who value names with spiritual depth.
Benaiah is a Hebrew name from the Old Testament, composed of the elements "ben" (son of) and "Yah" (a shortened form of Yahweh). It means "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has established." In the Bible, Benaiah was a warrior and one of King David's mighty men, later becoming commander of Solomon's army. The name has been used among English-speaking Christians since the Protestant Reformation, though it has never been common in the general population.
Where Benaiah is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Benaiah” around the world
Where Benaiah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben, Benny
Variants: Benaia, Benaiahu
Sibling names for Benaiah
Names that share Benaiah's style, for a brother or sister.
