Names That Mean Hand

Benjamin is a biblical name that has enjoyed widespread favor for decades, ranking in the US Top 50 for almost half a century and the Top 10 since 2015. One of those golden boys' names that feels traditional as well as sensitive and stylish, Benjamin has the further advantage of the friendly, accessible nickname Ben.

Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a judge called on by God to rescue the Jews from the Midianites, and the name was popular among the Puritans.

Jamin is unsurprisingly related to Benjamin, although it did not develop as a diminutive of the name. In the Old Testament, Jamin is a son of Simeon and a grandson of Jacob.

Chiron derives from the Greek word kheir, meaning "hand." The mythological Chiron was a centaur revered for his wisdom. He is depicted in the Sagittarius constellation.

A nickname that sounds like a nickname.

Yes, there are baby girls named Benjamin — typically between 10-20 recorded in a given year. These numbers are likely inflated due to data entry error, but you still could encounter a female Benjamin out there.

The kind of feminized male name that never caught on.

This variation of Biblical Benjamin is used in Ethiopia. The name is also spelled Benyam or Biniyam.

An Old Testament name traditionally used for boys, but with the potential to cross over on the tails of Ezra, Noah, James, and Micah in a wave of increasingly gender-neutral Biblical names. Examples of female Gideons in television include characters on shows such as The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. About a dozen baby girls were given the name Gideon in 2022.

Benuel is an Amish name that has only ever appeared on the Pennsylvania charts.

This variation of Biblical Benjamin is used in Ethiopia. The name is also spelled Benyam or Binyam.

Benjamin for purists. See BENJAMIN.

This variation of Biblical Benjamin is used in Ethiopia. With various "Ben" names in style, from Bennett to Bentley, Benyam feels fresh but approachable. The name is also commonly spelled Binyam or Biniyam, but the Benyam more easily leads to the friendly nickname Ben.

The Turkish translation of the classic Hebrew name Benjamin.