Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Benito
BoySpanish, Italian· “blessed”
- Meaning
- blessed
- Origin
- Spanish, Italian
- Pronunciation
- beh-NEE-toh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,002
- US babies 2025
- 226
- Best rank
- #513 (1929)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Benito
Benito is a Spanish and Italian name that means “blessed”.
Benito is the Spanish and Italian form of Benedict, from the Latin Benedictus, meaning "blessed." Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine order in the sixth century, made the name important throughout Catholic Europe. In Mexico it is strongly associated with Benito Juárez, the nineteenth-century president remembered as a national hero for his reforms. Benito has a warm, friendly sound with a classic Latin character, and Beni or Ben are easy short forms that travel well between languages.
Popularity over time
Benito has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 104 different years. Its best national rank was #513 in 1929, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 226 were named Benito. In 2025, 226 babies were named Benito, and it ranked #1,002 nationally. That is 157% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #705 in 1920, #582 in 1950, #648 in 1980, #895 in 2000, #1,503 in 2010, and #1,002 in 2025. Of the 14,773 US boys named Benito since records began, 12% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 1,602 babies. Since 2010, 2,078 more have been named Benito.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lev, Bastian, Atharv, Rayyan, and Macklin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Benito ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Oklahoma.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #369 | 5 |
| California | #466 | 68 |
| Oklahoma | #558 | 7 |
| Illinois | #640 | 14 |
| Texas | #650 | 46 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Benito is usually pronounced beh-NEE-toh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-to”.
Middle names for Benito
A few middle names that flow with Benito: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Benito
Similar names
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roh-BEHR-toh
“bright fame” · Spanish
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ur-NEHS-toh
“serious, resolute” · Spanish
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oom-BEHR-toh
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Lucio Boy
LOO-see-oh
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Carmello Boy
kahr-MEH-loh
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Lorenzo Boy
luh-REHN-zoh
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Tito Boy
TEE-toh
“pet form of Titus and similar names” · Spanish
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Gerardo Boy
heh-RAHR-doh
“brave spear” · Spanish
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Gustavo Boy
goos-TAH-voh
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Arturo Boy
ahr-TOO-roh
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Alonzo Boy
uh-LAHN-zoh
“noble and ready” · Spanish
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Leandro Boy
lee-AN-droh
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Lists that include Benito
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Benito mean?
Benito is a Spanish and Italian name that means “blessed”.
What is the origin of the name Benito?
Benito has Spanish, Italian, and Latin roots. Benito is the Spanish and Italian form of Benedict, from the Latin Benedictus, meaning "blessed." Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine order in the sixth century, made the name important throughout Catholic Europe.
Is Benito a popular name?
Not especially. Benito ranked #1,002 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Benito a boy or girl name?
Benito is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Benito?
Benito is usually pronounced beh-NEE-toh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings