Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Benji
BoyHebrew, English· “diminutive of Benjamin, son of the right hand”
- Meaning
- diminutive of Benjamin, son of the right hand
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- BEN-jee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,341
- US babies 2025
- 142
- Best rank
- #623 (1975)
- Peak year
- 1975
Meaning and origin of Benji
Benji is a Hebrew and English name that means “diminutive of Benjamin, son of the right hand”.
Benji is a friendly diminutive of Benjamin, the Hebrew name meaning "son of the right hand," often read as a son of favor or strength. In the Bible, Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Benji and Benjy have long been used as nicknames, and Benjy Compson is a central character in William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. Today Benji is also given on its own, with a playful, approachable feel. It is said BEN-jee. Parents who want more options can use Benjamin on the birth certificate and Benji day to day.
Popularity over time
Benji first appears in US Social Security records in 1952. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 3 different years, starting in 1975. Its best national rank was #623 in 1975, the same year it reached its highest count of 168 babies. In 2025, 142 babies were named Benji, and it ranked #1,341 nationally. That is 158% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,524 in 1980, #4,602 in 2000, #4,114 in 2010, and #1,341 in 2025. Of the 2,285 US boys named Benji since records began, 29% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 566 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Abdul, Tremayne, Federico, Giuseppe, and Sedrick.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Benji ranked highest in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #557 | 8 |
| Ohio | #756 | 11 |
| Pennsylvania | #856 | 9 |
| Washington | #915 | 6 |
| California | #961 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Benji over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Benji is usually pronounced BEN-jee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ji”.
Middle names for Benji
A few middle names that flow with Benji: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Benji
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Lists that include Benji
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Benji mean?
Benji is a Hebrew and English name that means “diminutive of Benjamin, son of the right hand”.
What is the origin of the name Benji?
Benji has Hebrew and English roots. Benji is a friendly diminutive of Benjamin, the Hebrew name meaning "son of the right hand," often read as a son of favor or strength.
Is Benji a popular name?
Not especially. Benji ranked #1,341 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Benji a boy or girl name?
Benji is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Benji over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Benji?
Benji is usually pronounced BEN-jee. 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