National Ben Day is celebrated on March 7 every year. If your name is Ben, this day is just for you — it exists to honor you and everyone else who bears your name! Ben is generally a nickname that comes from a variety of full names, like Benjamin, Benedict, Bennett, or even Benson. Ben, however, can also be a full name in its own right, meaning ‘son’ in Hebrew. Read on to find out more about this interesting day.
History of National Ben Day
As a nickname, Ben is usually formed by the abbreviation of a couple of full names. In particular, Benjamin is of ancient Hebrew descent and means ‘son of the right hand.’ Benedict — formed from the Latin ‘Benedictus,’ which means ‘blessed’ — is another prime candidate for the abbreviation to Ben.
Looking at U.S. statistics we can see that Ben is a name of declining popularity. Back in the 1880s, it was ranked as one of the 10 most popular names, but as of 2020, it holds 770th place. Not all looks bleak for Ben, however, given that it holds a shining seventh place in Germany and a respectable 32nd place in Ireland. As would be expected, Ben is also quite a popular name in Israel.
The term “Benjamin of the family” is often used in many cultures to signify the youngest in the family. This, of course, is derived from the biblical son of Jacob.
Perhaps one of the most famous Bens is the founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin.
National Ben Day timeline
Benjamin Johnson, the second most important English playwright and poet, writes his famous satirical play, “Every Man in His Humor.”
The Continental Congress appoints Benjamin Franklin to this office, giving him control over all post offices from Massachusetts to Georgia.
Benjamin John Howard, an English singer, musician, and composer, releases his debut studio album.
Benjamin ‘Ben’ Affleck stars as the titular Batman.
National Ben Day FAQs
What does ‘Ben’ mean in Japanese?
It means ‘petal,’ ‘language,’ ‘dialect,’ ‘discrimination,’ and ‘distinguish.’
What is Phum Ben?
Cambodian Buddhists believe that the souls of their ancestors are released for 15 days annually. Phum Ben marks the beginning of the journey of souls to purgatory, an intermediate place that is neither heaven nor hell.
In which country is the name Ben most popular?
This short little name is quite popular in Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
National Ben Day Activities
Make your friends happy
If you have any friends or relatives named Ben, send them all your love on this National Ben Day. You can give them a gift or just give them a call! Just let them know you care.
Learn more about the name
Use this as an opportunity to learn more about this historical name. You already got a great head start by just reading this article!
Share the day
Most people are probably unaware of National Ben Day. Let the world know all about it! Bens deserve to be acknowledged, after all.
5 Facts About Benjamin Franklin That Will Blow Your Mind
A hit writer in his teenage years
16-year-old Franklin secretly used the pen name Mrs. Silence Dogood to get his essays published in the “New-England Courant,” his brother James’ newspaper.
He invented a musical instrument
Among Franklin’s most unusual inventions was his “glass accordion,” an instrument designed to reproduce ethereal sounds, which is made by a wet finger when rubbed on the edge of the glass.
He created the phonetic alphabet
Annoyed by the many inconsistencies in English spelling, Franklin developed his own phonetic system, which abandoned the unnecessary consonants C, J, Q, W, X, and Y and added six new letters, each representing a specific phoneme.
His son was a British loyalist
Franklin had an illegitimate son named William, who became the leader of a royalist group.
He was a fashion icon in France
Franklin used the French idea of Americans as rural border guards, dressing simply and wearing a fur hat, which soon became his trademark, leading him to appear in countless French portraits and medallions.
Why We Love National Ben Day
It has a long history
The name Ben has been in use since biblical times. National Ben Day celebrates the popularity the name has gained through the years.
We love the name
The name Ben is simple yet beautiful. National Ben Day is the perfect day to celebrate our love for the name.
It’s a day to congratulate friends
Anyone would be happy to get a call on the day dedicated to their name! What are you waiting for?
National Ben Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 7 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 7 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 7 | Sunday |
| 2028 | March 7 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | March 7 | Wednesday |
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