Benoni

Meaning

The name Benoni comes from Hebrew and is traditionally understood as “son of my sorrow.” In Genesis, Rachel gives this name to the child who later becomes Benjamin; the excerpts also note the longer phrase “son of my sorrow.” It later appears in English Christian naming, especially among Puritans.

Origin

Fun fact

The excerpts note that Puritans favored Benoni over the gentler Benjamin, with Benonis said to outnumber Benjamins six to one in that context.