Declining since 1987.
Popularity of Benjaman since 1880
Babies named Benjaman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1977, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Benjaman's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 115 |
| 1890s | 77 |
| 1900s | 47 |
| 1910s | 209 |
| 1920s | 317 |
| 1930s | 161 |
| 1940s | 114 |
| 1950s | 157 |
| 1960s | 86 |
| 1970s | 220 |
| 1980s | 250 |
| 1990s | 157 |
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Benjaman is an unconventional spelling of the classic name Benjamin, first recorded in 1880 and peaking in use in 1888, when it ranked at its highest but still never entered the top 1000. The name has been in decline since 1987, reflecting a long-term trend away from creative spellings of common names. Its 1-in-N rate is too low to calculate from available data, as it has not been given to enough babies to register statistically. While Benjamin remains a top 100 name in the U.S., Benjaman is a rare variant, surfacing sporadically in state-level records but never enough to appear among top states. Its trajectory suggests it will remain a fringe choice, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive twist on a traditional biblical name.
Benjaman is a variant spelling of the Hebrew name Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, Binyamin), derived from the elements ben ('son of') and yamin ('right hand' or 'south'). In the Hebrew Bible, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the name became popular among Puritans in the 17th century. The spelling Benjaman has been used as an alternative form, especially in the United States, though it has always been much rarer than the standard Benjamin.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben, Benny, Jamie
Sibling names for Benjaman
Names that share Benjaman's style, for a brother or sister.
