Ben is a distinctive choice, ranked #509 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Ben in their class.
💎
UK Rank 2024
#509
US Rank #801
About the Name Ben
Ben has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 182 places in five years. It was most popular in 2002 at #21 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has featured in the UK top 100 for 16 years, demonstrating solid mainstream recognition.
Ben is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #801 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Ben
Unlikely. With around 77 UK babies named Ben per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Ben in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Ben has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 182 places in the last five years. Its peak was #21 in 2002. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Ben is more popular in the UK (#509) than in the US (#801). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Ben include: Ben Savage — Bennett Joseph Savage is an American actor.; Big Ben — Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, and, by extension, for the clock tower which stands at the north end of the...; Ben Jacobson — Ben Scott Jacobson is an American basketball coach..
Ben ranks #801 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
77
UK babies named Ben (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 182 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Ben
Likely around 1 other Ben in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Ben
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Bennett Joseph Savage is an American actor. He played the lead role of Cory Matthews on the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World and its Disney Channel sequel Girl Meets World.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, and, by extension, for the clock tower which stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. Originally named the Clock Tower, the structure was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.