Benton Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Benton is an Old English name meaning 'enclosure of bent grass.' It evolved from the term 'beonetun' and has been used since the Middle Ages, transitioning from a surname to a given name. The name reflects a connection to nature and has gained a positive, rustic image in modern times. It does not have biblical relevance.
The name Benton is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Benton has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Benton' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 729th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 800th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 956th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1133rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1158th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1243rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1045th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 28476th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Benton' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Benton"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛntən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Benton is derived from the Old English words 'beonet,' meaning 'bent grass,' and 'tun,' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement.' It originally referred to a settlement near a place where bent grass grew.
Meaning
enclosure of bent grass
Language Evolution
Beonetun, Benton
Historical Usage
The name Benton gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly as a surname before evolving into a given name. It has been used in various forms in different regions.
Variants & Derivatives
Bentie, Bentonio
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Benton is seen as a traditional yet approachable name. It carries a rustic charm and is often associated with nature due to its meaning.
Famous People
Benton Mackaye, an American forester and conservationist, Benton K. W. W. Shum, a notable educator
Explore More Benton Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Benton"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Benton"
"Benton" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 729th of 7545 | 1,260 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 800th of 6773 | 1,132 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 956th of 7552 | 1,159 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1133rd of 10718 | 841 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1158th of 16616 | 1,292 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1243rd of 24088 | 2,020 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1045th of 23106 | 2,387 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Benton" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
57.13% 809th/1416 |
78.17% 1078th/1379 |
27.30% 646th/2366 |
73.29% 837th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
56.02% 866th/1546 |
62.85% 978th/1556 |
33.11% 779th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
58.24% 1297th/2227 |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
34.56% 986th/2853 |
37.59% 1043rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
53.22% 1563rd/2937 |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
34.17% 1202nd/3518 |
38.48% 1556th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
33.03% 1217th/3685 |
57.01% 2551st/4475 |
20.79% 1080th/5194 |
29.65% 1873rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
23.77% 1089th/4582 |
43.47% 2245th/5164 |
15.86% 1160th/7313 |
24.63% 1838th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
21.86% 871st/3984 |
41.70% 1871st/4487 |
13.47% 919th/6822 |
23.77% 1492nd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Benton" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Benton"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Benton" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.