Comments for BEN (1):

Ben is also a short form of Reuben.

-- Anonymous User  1/12/2005

As mentioned, the word "Ben" means "son" in Hebrew. Similar to other cultures, ancient Hebrew also lacked last names, and a child would recieve his father's name as a last name with the word "Ben" attached to it. Ex: King David's father was Yishay (Jesse). Thereore, David's full name was David Ben-Yishay (David son-of-Yishay).

Nowdays, this beautiful tradition is no longer a part of Jewish or Hebrew culture, but last names containing "Ben" are very common. For example, David Ben-Guryon - Israel's first Prime-minister (who was born as David Green and later changed his name).

In other cases, the initial "Ben" is being used for first names such as Ben-Zion. A famous one is Ben-Zion Netanyahu, father of Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel's former P.M. and current minister of finance.

-- ishai  4/3/2005

Ben Kenobi: alias of Obi-Wan Kenobi (he used the name while hiding out on Tatooine from the Empire).

-- dotty  8/4/2005

Actor Ben (Benjamin) Affleck is a famous bearer.

-- Anonymous User  12/20/2005

"Ben" is the name of a song by Michael Jackson.

-- breakofday  12/30/2005

Ben means "feces" in Japanese.

-- Anonymous User  2/28/2006

Ben Jelin is a famous musician.

-- Anonymous User  3/6/2006

Ben means horseradish tree in Spanish.

-- Anonymous User  3/22/2006

Way too common! I know at least 30 Bens in my whole school!

-- WWE Champion  4/16/2006

My impression of Ben is that it isn't too common but it isn't too out there! Benjamin is a wonderful name! I would rather name my son Benjamin and call him Ben than naming him Benedict! Even though Benedict is a nice name Benjamin just rolls off of your tongue and is really easy to grow up with! Of course it's my boyfriend's name! LOL!

-- katielion  6/5/2006

Good name, makes me think of a man who is strong but in this fatherly type of way. Like his whole life he was always more responsible and good-hearted. It is also a very driven and intelligent name.

-- Anonymous User  6/22/2006

I don't really like this name, but the drummer from The Fray is named Ben. I love The Fray and he is really hot, so this name is growing on me.

-- Anonymous User  6/29/2006

Ben Gates is the main character in the movie "National Treasure."

-- Anonymous User  7/13/2006

I am told that Ben means "coffee" in Arabic.

-- SerasVictoria  7/21/2006

Ben is a nice strong name for a boy. I like it as a nickname for Benjamin or Bennett.

-- Anonymous User  10/9/2006

Ben Gibbard is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service.

-- mymymetrocard  11/15/2006

Ben Taylor (born Benjamin Simon Taylor on January 22, 1977) is a musician and actor. Ben is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon.
Ben's official site: www.bentaylorband.com

-- carly_89  2/5/2007

This is my name, I like it. It doesn't seem too common to me; there was only like one other Ben at my high school. Unfortunately, we had the same last initial. :/

-- Anonymous User  6/19/2007

Gaelic : the Scottish word for mountain.

-- Anonymous User  8/30/2007

Ben is such a bland boring name, if it were my name I would have to change it by deedpoll, with so many fantastic names to choose from - why Ben?

-- Anonymous User  10/28/2007

It's an ok name, but I personally think it's too common. This is the name of the main character in National Treasure, and also one of the characters in Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke.

-- flamestar  12/29/2007

Ben Jackson, a companion to the first and second Doctors on "Doctor Who".

-- FMRadio  2/1/2008

Playwright and poet Ben (Benjamin) Jonson was a contemporary of Shakespeare.

-- Tytan  3/12/2008

Ben is the name of the main character in CartoonNetwork's Ben 10.

-- Anonymous User  3/17/2008

Ben Barnes is a British stage actor. He has also been in several movies including The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

-- Kekepania  5/16/2008

Actor Ben Stiller, best know for his role in "Night at the Museum".

-- sweetkit  6/19/2008

Ben is a solid name but so very ordinary. I'm fond of this name, but it doesn't stand out, so I wouldn't be likely to use it.

-- Grimscarlett  9/27/2008

A famous bearer of the name is Ben Rothlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

-- Anonymous User  1/22/2009

Ben Walton was the son of John and Olivia Walton on the tv show the Waltons. In one of the later seasons, he married a girl named Cindy and they have a baby.

-- --allison--  8/9/2009

Key: Meaning/History Usage Pronunciation Famous Bearer Personal Impression Other

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