Benson

At a Glance

Meaning

From the Oxfordshire place name Bensington; popularly reinterpreted as 'son of Ben'

Origin

English (surname/place name)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

BEN-sunListen

Benson is a gender-neutral name of English origin, pronounced BEN-sun (/ˈbɛnsən/). It traces back to the Oxfordshire place name Bensington — despite the popular claim that it means 'son of Ben,' that's folk etymology, since Wiktionary derives it from the place name rather than from 'Ben's son.' It carries a classic feel among name styles.

Meaning & Origin of Benson

Meaning: From the Oxfordshire place name Bensington; popularly reinterpreted as 'son of Ben'.

Origin: English (surname/place name).

A common claim: Widely said to mean 'son of Ben.' Actually: Benson comes from the English place name Bensington, in Oxfordshire, not literally 'son of Ben,' though that's a popular reinterpretation.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Benson

Popularity of Benson

In Social Security data going back to 1887, Benson peaked at #428 in 2016 with 729 babies given the name, and most recently ranked #435 in 2024 with a count of 727.

Names Like Benson

These names share Benson’s style, era or origin.

• Cairo
• Calliope
• Adler
• Aila
• Amabel
• Aphra

FAQ

What does the name Benson mean?

From the Oxfordshire place name Bensington; popularly reinterpreted as ‘son of Ben’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Benson?

Benson is pronounced BEN-sun (IPA: /ˈbɛnsən/).

Is Benson a popular name right now?

Benson is near its all-time peak (#428 in 2016), ranked #435 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1887–2024.)

Make Benson Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Benson, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.