Declining since 2011, #5,045 for boys today.
Popularity of Bently since 1915
Babies named Bently per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 13 |
| 1960s | 37 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 116 |
| 2010s | 2,037 |
| 2020s | 212 |
Meaning & origin
Bently is a rare variant spelling of the surname-turned-first-name Bentley. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915 but remained extremely uncommon for decades. The name saw a modest rise in popularity, reaching its peak rank in 2011. Since then, it has been in decline, with the 2025 data showing it at rank 5,045, given to about 1 in 89,899 newborns. Unlike the more common Bentley spelling, which surged in the 2000s, Bently has stayed in the background. Its top state associations are minimal, as it has never been a regional favorite. The name's etymology connects to an English landscape term, giving it a grounded, natural feel.
Bently is a variant spelling of Bentley, an English surname derived from place names. The name comes from Old English 'beonet' (bent grass) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow), so it originally denoted someone who lived near a meadow where bent grass grew. As a first name, it gained popularity in the early 20th century, though it has always been rare. The spelling Bently is a modern simplification that emerged alongside Bentley.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben, Bent
Variants: Bentley
Sibling names for Bently
Names that share Bently's style, for a brother or sister.
