How to say it
BEN · nit
ˈbɛn.ɪt
Masculine
Bennett
Blessed
What it means
An English form of the Latin Benedictus, meaning blessed. A quieter cousin of Benedict.
Bennett started as the English medieval shortening of Benedictus, the name of the 6th-century saint who founded Western monasticism. It stayed primarily a surname for centuries before the surname-as-first-name trend of the late 20th century pulled it back into use as a given name. Now sits in the US top hundred for boys. Often paired with the longer Benjamin in sibling sets, and frequently shortened to Ben in daily life.
How to spell Bennett
The standard spelling is Bennett. Common variants include Benedict, Benedikt, Benoît, Ben, Benny, but Bennett is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #40 in 2025, currently #40 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Ben is the natural short, though Bennett often stays in full. Bennie shows up in childhood.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Tony Bennett American singer whose surname helped popularize Bennett as a given name
Spelling variants
- Benedict
- Benedikt
- Benoît
- Ben
- Benny
Names with the same feeling
See Bennett from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Bennett mean?
- An English form of the Latin Benedictus, meaning blessed. A quieter cousin of Benedict.
- What does Bennett mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Bennett means "Blessed." Bennett started as the English medieval shortening of Benedictus, the name of the 6th-century saint who founded Western monasticism. It stayed primarily a surname for centuries before the surname-as-first-name trend of the late 20th century pulled it back into use as a given name. Now sits in the US top hundred for boys. Often paired with the longer Benjamin in sibling sets, and frequently shortened to Ben in daily life.
- How do you pronounce Bennett?
- Bennett is pronounced ˈbɛn.ɪt. Say it as BEN-nit, with the stress on the "ben" syllable.
- How do you spell Bennett?
- The standard spelling is Bennett. Common spelling variants include Benedict, Benedikt, Benoît, Ben, Benny.
- Is Bennett a boy or girl name?
- Bennett is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Bennett?
- Bennett ranked #40 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.