Ben facts for kids

Ben is a popular boy's name. It often serves as a shorter version of longer names like Benjamin, Benedict, Bennett, Benson, and Ebenezer.

What Does the Name Ben Mean?

The name Ben comes from ancient languages found in the Torah and Bible. Its main meaning is "son of." This meaning is important because it often shows family connections.

Ben in Different Cultures

The meaning "son of" is also found in Arabic. In some Arabic dialects, it appears as Ben, and in others, it's bin (بن) or Ibn/ebn (ابن). This shows how names can have similar meanings across different cultures.

Ben (賁/便嗯) is also a Chinese surname. This means it can be a family name in China.

Famous People Named Ben

Many people around the world have the name Ben. Some are well-known for their work in movies, sports, or other important fields.

Actors and Entertainers

• Ben Affleck (born 1972): An American actor and filmmaker. He has won awards for his acting and for writing movie scripts.
• Ben Stiller (born 1965): An American actor, comedian, and director. He is famous for many funny movies.
• Ben Kingsley (born 1943): A British actor known for his serious and powerful roles in films.
• Ben Whishaw (born 1980): An English actor who has appeared in many films and TV shows, including playing Q in the James Bond movies.

Sports Stars

• Ben Simmons (born 1996): An Australian professional basketball player. He plays in the NBA.
• Ben Roethlisberger (born 1982): An American former professional football player. He was a quarterback in the NFL.
• Ben Stokes (born 1991): An English cricketer, born in New Zealand. He is a key player for the England cricket team.
• Ben Wallace (born 1974): An American former professional basketball player. He was known for his strong defense.

Important Figures in History

• Ben Franklin (1706–1790): A very important person in American history. He was a writer, inventor, scientist, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
• Ben Carson (born 1951): A famous American surgeon who also worked in government. He is known for his medical achievements.

Fictional Characters Named Ben

The name Ben is also popular for characters in books, movies, and TV shows.

From Movies and TV Shows

• Ben from Thomas and Friends: He is a twin train engine, known for being a bit cheeky.
• Benny from The Lego Movie: A happy "1980-something space guy" who loves building spaceships.
• Ben Elf from Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom: The main character in this British cartoon, a small elf who is best friends with Princess Holly.
• Ben Geller from Friends: The son of Ross Geller in the popular TV sitcom.
• Ben Kenobi from Star Wars: An alias used by Obi-Wan Kenobi, a wise Jedi Master.
• Ben Solo from Star Wars: A major character in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, also known as Kylo Ren.
• Ben Tennyson from Ben 10: The main hero of the Cartoon Network series, who can transform into different aliens.
• Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation: A character from the popular American sitcom, known for his love of accounting and nerdy interests.

From Books and Comics

• Gentle Ben: A friendly bear featured in a 1965 novel and later in TV shows and movies.
• Ben Grimm (also known as The Thing) from Marvel Comics: A superhero with a rocky body, part of the Fantastic Four.
• Ben Gunn from Treasure Island: A character in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel, a marooned pirate.
• Ben Parker from Marvel Comics: The kind uncle of Peter Parker (Spider-Man), whose famous advice inspires Peter.
• Ben Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy: A main character in the comic book and Netflix series, who has the power to summon tentacles.