Benji

Benji is a diminutive of Benjamin, from Hebrew Binyamin meaning "son of the right hand" — connoting favor, skill, and special affection. Benjamin was the beloved youngest son of Jacob in the Hebrew scriptures. As a nickname, Benji sheds all that biblical weight and becomes something light and full of joy — the name of a companion who is simply, joyfully, very good at being loved.

Benji holds the #41 spot among US pet names, with nearly 1,800 companions sharing it. The name has an irresistible warmth — it's the informal version of a classic, stripped of its gravitas and left with pure affection. Benji tends to suit companions who are deeply social and almost theatrically enthusiastic about their people. It has also been one of the most culturally prominent pet names in American pop culture for generations, carried by one of cinema's most beloved animal heroes.