Rising since 2018, #3,583 for boys today.
Popularity of Bento since 2016
Babies named Bento per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 38 |
| 2020s | 132 |
Meaning & origin
Bento is a Portuguese name that has seen a steady rise in U.S. popularity since it first appeared on the Social Security list in 2016. As of 2025, it ranks 3583 with a 1-in-55099 incidence, and 2025 marked its peak year so far. The name's trajectory has been clearly rising since 2018, and it is most common in Massachusetts and Florida, likely due to Portuguese and Brazilian communities there. Bento offers a fresh alternative to more common names like Ben or Benjamin, while carrying a meaningful etymology that connects to the Latin for 'blessed'.
Bento originated as a short form of Benedito, the Portuguese form of the Latin name Benedictus, meaning 'blessed'. It has been used as an independent given name in Portugal and Brazil, often associated with Saint Benedict (São Bento). The name gained some modern popularity outside of Portuguese-speaking communities through cultural exposure.
Where Bento is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bento” around the world
Where Bento lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben
Variants: Benedito
Sibling names for Bento
Names that share Bento's style, for a brother or sister.
