Meaning & Origin
A shortening of the male given name Benjamin or, less often, of Benedict.
Ben is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of Benjamin, meaning 'son of the right hand.' While often used as a nickname, Ben has a long tradition as a standalone name, strong and unpretentious in its own right.
From Ben Franklin to Ben Affleck, the name carries a democratic, no-nonsense energy. It ranked consistently in the U.S. top 300 for over a century, beloved for its simplicity.