Origin and Meaning of Benson

Son of Ben

Origin: English - Benson is derived from the Old English personal name 'Ben' which is a diminutive of the name Benjamin, meaning 'son of the right hand'.

• Benson is primarily known as a surname that has been used as a first name, especially in the 20th century, indicating a trend toward using surnames as given names.
• The name has English origins, and it is closely associated with the surname of several notable families in England.
• Notable bearers of the name include Benson Lee, an American documentarian and filmmaker, and the fictional character Benson Dubois from the 1979 television show 'Benson'.
• Benson saw a rise in popularity starting in the late 20th century and into the 21st, gaining more favor as a modern first name.
• Variations of Benson include Bens and Ben, as well as related names like Bentley or Bennett.