Is Benny a boy's or girl's name?

Benny is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 612 recorded births.

When was Benny most popular?

Benny reached its peak popularity in 1948 with 1,065 births that year. It is currently ranked #890 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Benny?

Benny is currently ranked #890 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 48,202 babies since 1882.

Benny

A familiar Hebrew name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewRising fast Also a pet name

#890▲ 154in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A nickname for a man named Benjamin.

Benny is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of Benjamin, from the Hebrew Binyamin meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." As a standalone name, it carries the warm, approachable charm of a classic American nickname.

With nearly 49,000 U.S. births recorded, Benny has been used as both a formal name and beloved nickname across generations. It evokes jazz legend Benny Goodman, the King of Swing, as well as the cheerful spirit of names that feel like a friendly hand on the shoulder.

Compare Benny with another name

Popularity Over Time

Benny has 142+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1882.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Benny
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,070	#1028	▼
2010s	1,398	#1283	▼
2000s	1,749	#991	—
1990s	1,828	#795	▼
1980s	2,341	#584	▼
1970s	3,316	#438	▼
1960s	5,655	#333	▼
1950s	8,806	#239	—
1940s	9,302	#185	▲
1930s	6,863	#194	▲
1920s	3,813	#299	▲
1910s	1,636	#380	▲
1900s	263	#450	▲
1890s	109	#674	▲
1880s	53	#800	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(142 years, 1882–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Benny
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	265	#890	+56 (26.8%)
2023	209	#1044	-2 (-0.9%)
2022	211	#1045	-5 (-2.3%)
2021	216	#1014	+47 (27.8%)
2020	169	#1149	+8 (5.0%)
2019	161	#1189	+13 (8.8%)
2018	148	#1244	+17 (13.0%)
2017	131	#1359	+9 (7.4%)
2016	122	#1422	+4 (3.4%)
2015	118	#1438	-22 (-15.7%)
2014	140	#1273	-2 (-1.4%)
2013	142	#1244	+8 (6.0%)
2012	134	#1296	-15 (-10.1%)
2011	149	#1186	-4 (-2.6%)
2010	153	#1179	+4 (2.7%)
2009	149	#1212	-6 (-3.9%)
2008	155	#1166	-38 (-19.7%)
2007	193	#1002	0
2006	193	#963	+26 (15.6%)
2005	167	#1013	-14 (-7.7%)

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

Benny as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Benny has also been given to 612 girls in the U.S. since 1917.

#9008

Current rank

612

Total births

1922

Peak year

Compare Benny as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Benny be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Benny is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #890. As a girl's name, it ranks #9008.

Benny has two lives

Benny, the baby name

#890boys

48,202 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1882–2024) · Methodology