Alternatives to Benjamin

Bernardo

Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

"strong as a bear"

This Latinate form of Bernard hovered in the lower regions of the US Top 1000 from the late 1940s until 2006, possibly inspired by the character in West Side Story . It remains popular in Portugal…

Biniyam

Ethiopian, Amharic, variation of Benjamin

"son of the right hand"

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

Binyam

Ethiopian, Amharic, variation of Benjamin

"son of the right hand"

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

Quintilin

Quintilin is a masculine name with Latin roots, derived from 'Quintus' meaning 'fifth.' It was traditionally given to the fifth child born in a family in ancient Roman culture. This elaboration of…

Valentine

Latin

"strength, health"

Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to…

Zephyrin

French variation of Zephyr

"west wind"

This name feels warmer and more human-appropriate in its longer version, but still retains that breezy feel. Trivia tidbit: Zephyrinus was a Jewish pope.

Benno

German

"bear"

Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and…

Barnabas

Aramaic

"son of consolation"

Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the…

Bartholomew

Aramaic

"son of the furrow"

Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish…

Basil

Greek

"royal"

Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class…