בֵּן

Ben

boyHebrewJewish

Ben is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Son”.

MeaningSon
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asבֵּן
PronunciationBEN
TraditionJewish, Modern & Classic
Used inWorldwide

Meaning and origin of Ben

Ben is the Hebrew word for 'son', familiar from patronymics like David ben Gurion, 'David son of Gurion'. As a given name it is most often a short form of Benjamin, though it can also shorten Benedict or Bennett. In Israel Ben is also given as a full name in its own right. Notable bearers range from Ben Jonson, the Elizabethan playwright, to Ben-Gurion, Israel's founding prime minister.

Is Ben a Jewish name?

Ben is a Hebrew word and is used by Jewish families, but as a short form of Benjamin or Benedict it is equally common among Christians and secular families.

How popular is Ben?

Very common worldwide as a nickname and in Israel and parts of Europe as a full name.

Gifts with the name Ben

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Spellings and variants of Ben

Names similar to Ben

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ben mean?

Ben means 'Son'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Ben a Jewish name?

Ben is a Hebrew word and is used by Jewish families, but as a short form of Benjamin or Benedict it is equally common among Christians and secular families.

How do you pronounce Ben?

Ben is pronounced BEN.

Is Ben a boy or girl name?

Ben is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.