A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Benny since 1882
Babies named Benny per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1948, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Benny's real moment was 1939.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 53 |
| 1890s | 109 |
| 1900s | 263 |
| 1910s | 1,636 |
| 1920s | 3,813 |
| 1930s | 6,863 |
| 1940s | 9,303 |
| 1950s | 8,805 |
| 1960s | 5,655 |
| 1970s | 3,316 |
| 1980s | 2,341 |
| 1990s | 1,828 |
| 2000s | 1,749 |
| 2010s | 1,399 |
| 2020s | 1,367 |
Meaning & origin
Benny is a name with a long history as a diminutive of Benjamin, first recorded in U.S. data in 1882. It reached its peak popularity in 1939, when it ranked highest among boys. After a period of decline, Benny has been rising in use again since 2016, showing a revival of interest in vintage nickname names. Today, it remains most popular in states such as Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. With a current rank of 840 and a 1-in-5,830 frequency, Benny is a friendly, approachable choice that feels both classic and fresh.
Benny originates as a diminutive of Benjamin, from the Hebrew Binyamin, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south.' Benjamin was one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, and the name has been widely used among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities. Benny emerged as an independent given name in the late 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, often as a nickname that became a formal name.
Where Benny is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Benny” around the world
Where Benny lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Bennie
Sibling names for Benny
Names that share Benny's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lily, Emma, Molly, Sophie, Grace, Candy, Frankie, Ginny, Lennie, Roni, Ruthie, Becki, Cammy, Deisy, Genny, Letty, Sammi, Suzi, Suzie, Chessie, Dorrie, Eydie, Gini, Janney, Mennie, Mollee, Pollyanna, Salli, Steffie, Susy, Tallie, Betsie, Frannie, Lyndie, Lynnie, Molley, Raymie, Yenny, Anie, Franny, Lenzie, Rendi, Stephie, Taffie, Windie, Yeny
Brothers: Sammy, Tommy, Charlie, Jimmy, Johnny, Dannie, Davey, Eddy, Reggie, Teddy, Dennie, Fredy, Jonny, Rommie, Tonny, Jetty, Freddi, Hymie, Ikey, Jery, Kinnie, Solly, Tommey
