Benjamin (name)

Benjamin

Portrait of Benjamin, son of Israel and the first to use that name
Pronunciation	/ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/ BEN-jə-min French: [bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃] German: [ˈbɛnjamiːn] Hebrew: [bɪnjaˈmin] Swedish: [ˈbêːnjamɪn]
Gender	Male
Origin
Word/name	בִּנְיָמִין Binyāmīn
Meaning	'Son of my right hand' in Hebrew and Arabic languages
Other names
Variant form(s)	Benyaameen, Benyāmīn, Binyaameen, Binyāmīn
Nickname(s)	Ben, Bengie, Benj, Benjy, Benji, Benjie, Benjo, Benno, Benny, Benson, Benvolio, Benzino, Biniam

Benjamin is a popular given name for males, derived from Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין‎, Binyāmīn, translating as 'son of the right [hand]' in both Hebrew and Arabic languages, although in the Samaritan Pentateuch the name appears as Binyaamem: 'son of my days'.^[1][2]

Benjamin is often shortened to Ben, and sometimes to Benny, Benito, Benjy, Benji, etc. It is also a patronymic surname. Like many biblical names, it is popular in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths alike, having many variant forms in other languages.

The "Benjamin of the family" is a phrase used in several languages to refer to the youngest son – especially when he is much younger than his brothers^[3] (see also the "youngest son" stock character in fiction). Sometimes the name is chosen for a son born to mature parents unlikely to have more children, especially if he has several older siblings. Both of these usages derive from the biblical son of Jacob of that name, who occupied that position in his family.

In some language with Sanskrit root, such as Thai language, Benja or Benjama is also derivative of pañca which means 'five' or 'the fifth'. And can be merged with Indra to form the name homophone name Benjamin (which means 'the fifth Indra', sometimes written Benchamin). There are also many similar name start with Banja- or Benjama- with other combination such as Benjawan (used by some actresses and models in Thailand) or Benjamat (female name, also means the flower Chrysanthemum).

Alternate versions of the name exist for females, like Benjamina.