Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Bennett

The name Bennett developed as an English version of Benedict, a medieval vernacular form of the Latin name Benedictus meaning ‘blessed’. The name spread throughout Western Europe in the Middle Ages chiefly owing its popularity to St. Benedict, the 6th century Italian Catholic monk and founder of the Benedictine Order. His “Rule of Benedict” writings were popular among the later establishments of Western European monasteries because it promoted the spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness between individual religious zeal and institutionalized prescription. For this reason, St. Benedict is often credited as the founder of western Christian monasticism. The name became common among Christians and was borne by 16 popes. The French version is Benoît which they likely introduced to the English after the Norman Invasion of 1066. Bennett would eventually develop as a surname in England and dates back to the early 13th century.

All About the Baby Name – Bennett

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME BENNETT

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME BENNETT

We were surprised to see that Bennett has had a long career on the U.S. popularity charts, even if it has been at low-to-moderate levels of success. The name has been in use for well over a century and therefore seems to transcend the “Last Names First” naming trend of modern times. It apparently existed well before this trend got under way and has some interesting older roots. Bennett is definitely achieving its greatest triumph right now in terms of usage. Although barely on the Top 300 list of most popular boy names, it’s clearly on an upward trajectory. Strong and handsome, yet not clichéd or trendy, Bennett is one of the more appealing choices if you like surnames for little boys. It has a certain understated confidence. The pet form, Ben, also has universal appeal. Will you “bless” your son with this “blessed” name?

Quick Facts

ON BENNETT

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

194

PRONUNCIATION:

BEHN-it

SIMPLE MEANING:

Blessed

Characteristics

OF BENNETT

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Bennett

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME BENNETT

Jane is the eldest of the five Bennet sisters in Jane Austen’s 1813 classic, “Pride and Prejudice”. Alas, she is so ego-less as to be almost a cipher. She is described as beautiful, sweet, proper, good, gentle, kind, dutiful, non-judgmental and self-effacing. Yikes. Unlike Elizabeth, who is all fire and tang, Jane is the “good daughter”, destined to be the “good wife” and, no doubt, the “good mother”. What a fate! Well, someone has to do it. She must not be as deadly as all that, however, for Elizabeth is devoted to her and aspires to attain her level of virtue. Charles Bingley, a rich, male version of Jane, loves her dearly as well, and marries her. So, good on Jane. We’re afraid, however, that it will always be the Elizabeths and Darcys who hold our attention.

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Bennett

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME BENNETT

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Bennett


Popular Songs

ON BENNETT

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Bennett


Famous People

NAMED BENNETT

Bennett Cerf (publisher and co-founder of Random House)
Bennett Miller (film director)

Children of Famous People

NAMED BENNETT

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Bennett

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME BENNETT

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Bennett