Benny

Meaning: Its source is Binyamin, a Hebrew name meaning "Right-hand son."

Nickname For: Benedict, Benjamin and Bennett

Popularity: The name Benny ranked 932nd in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 382nd in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Some favor the meaning ''son of my later years,'' and others ''southern son.''

In the Jewish scriptures, Benjamin and the other sons of Jacob and Rachel each gave their names to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. After the Exodus from Egypt, the Benjamites gained a reputation for ferocity in the battles for the conquest of Canaan.

In French the name is also a common noun and means The youngest one.

Arts and Music

Benny Carter (born 1907)
American jazz musician, composer and bandleader.
- Alto sax player, trumpter and clarinetist (see list of Critics' Picks for the Jazz Hall of Fame)
Benny Goodman (born 1909, died 1986)
American jazz musician.
- Clarinetist and bandleader of the swing era (see list of Readers' Picks for the Jazz Hall of Fame)

Sports

Benny Leonard
- Member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame (see list of Old Timer inductees)
Benny Parsons
Race-car driver.
- 1975 Daytona 500 winner (see list of Daytona 500 Winners)

Stage and Screen

Benny the Ball
Fictional character.
- From ''''Top Cat'''' (see list of Cartoon characters)
Benny Carter (born 1907)
American jazz musician, composer and bandleader.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording (see list of Recording Personalites with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- 1996 Kennedy Center Honors recipient (see list of Kennedy Center Honors Recipients)
Benny Goodman (born 1909, died 1986)
American jazz musician.
- 1982 Kennedy Center Honors recipient (see list of Kennedy Center Honors Recipients)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording (see list of Recording Personalites with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Benny Stulwicz
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Larry Drake (see list of Characters on ''L.A. Law'')