Benedict

A familiar Latin name with steady appeal.

Boy's nameLatinRising fast Also a pet name
#913 16in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Latin, particularly of the sixth-century founder of the Benedictine order, and of several popes.

Benedict is a boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin Benedictus meaning "blessed" — a name of pure, radiant positivity. Saint Benedict of Nursia founded the Benedictine monastic order in the 6th century, and sixteen popes have borne the name.

Benedict carries extraordinary historical and religious weight while also feeling surprisingly fresh in modern usage. Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has given the name a sleek, intelligent contemporary cool, and its natural nickname Benny makes it approachable for everyday use.

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Popularity Over Time

Benedict climbed 1252 spots in the last 20 years — from #2165 to #913.

0641271912541900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Benedict
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,140
2010s1,344
2000s843
1990s493
1980s530
1970s452
1960s707
1950s832
1940s775
1930s696
1920s1,144
1910s979
1900s122
1890s72
1880s39

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(139 years, 18822024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Benedict
YearBirthsRank
2024254#913
2023245#929
2022234#967
2021220#996
2020187#1069
2019179#1102
2018210#985
2017169#1129
2016152#1229
2015153#1205
2014140#1272
2013109#1493
201287#1728
201158#2234
201087#1741
200985#1775
2008101#1573
200789#1700
2006130#1284
2005158#1048

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Benedict has two lives

Benedict, the baby name
#913boys
10,168 babies
Currently viewing
Benedict, the pet name
#2246pet name
42 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18822024) · Methodology