Benjamin vs Richard
Benjamin and Richard compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New Zealand · Boys
In 1999, Benjamin was ranked #6 and Richard #81 among boys in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 1997, Benjamin was ranked #8 and Richard #98 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
Norway · Boys
In 2023, Benjamin was ranked #29 and Richard #481 among boys in Norway.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #61 and Richard #431 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2022, Benjamin was ranked #73 and Richard #311 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Benjamin was ranked #78 and Richard #619 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Benjamin was ranked #83 and Richard #232 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Benjamin and Richard over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Benjamin and Richard over time
Benjamin and Richard appear together in 6 published lists, across 236 years of shared records. Benjamin held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Richard in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Richard reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Benjamin in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1974, Benjamin moved ahead of Richard in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #27 and #24 the year before became #18 and #30.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 31 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Benjamin and Richard averaged 43.7 places apart, ending at #8 and #98.
- Mirrored each other
Over 59 shared years in Norway · Boys, Benjamin rose about as far as Richard fell — from #345 and #196 in 1950 to #29 and #481 in 2023.
- Longest-running competitions
Benjamin and Richard were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #61 and #431.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys62 shared years, 1964–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Richard in 36.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #50 in 2020, Richard #20 in 1986.
The order changed in 2000: Benjamin moved ahead. In 1999 they stood at #75 and #63; by 2000 that had become #67 and #82.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #83, Richard #232.
Norway · Boys59 shared years, 1950–2023
Benjamin held the stronger position in 36 of those years, Richard in 23.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #13 in 2016, Richard #80 in 1979.
The order changed in 1988: Benjamin moved ahead. In 1987 they stood at #125 and #99; by 1988 that had become #95 and #117.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Benjamin #29, Richard #481.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys31 shared years, 1965–1997
Benjamin held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Richard in 7.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #5 in 1977, Richard #18 in 1968.
The order changed in 1974: Benjamin moved ahead. In 1973 they stood at #27 and #24; by 1974 that had become #18 and #30.
Most recent shared year, 1997: Benjamin #8, Richard #98.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Benjamin held the stronger position in 30 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #6 in 2002, Richard #62 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Benjamin #61, Richard #431.
New Zealand · Boys30 shared years, 1970–1999
Benjamin held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Richard in 11.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #6 in 1995, Richard #9 in 1971.
The order changed in 1981: Benjamin moved ahead. In 1980 they stood at #14 and #13; by 1981 that had become #12 and #14.
Most recent shared year, 1999: Benjamin #6, Richard #81.
Northern Ireland · Boys24 shared years, 1997–2022
Benjamin held the stronger position in 24 of those years, Richard in 0.
Highest recorded here: Benjamin #22 in 2002, Richard #77 in 1999.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Benjamin #73, Richard #311.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Benjamin
Pairs where Benjamin shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Benjamin vs Graham
In 1964 they stood at #139 and #129 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2023 they were #71 and #770.
Benjamin · Graham · 54 shared years, 1964–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Ross
In 1997 they stood at #37 and #30 in Northern Ireland · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2023 they were #73 and #395.
Benjamin · Ross · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Justin
In 1964 they stood at #139 and #139 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, 0 places apart; by 2025 they were #83 and #402.
Benjamin · Justin · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Benjamin vs Einar
Over 61 shared years in Norway · Boys, Benjamin rose about as far as Einar fell — from #345 and #27 in 1950 to #48 and #57 in 2025.
Benjamin · Einar · 61 shared years, 1950–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other comparisons involving Richard
Pairs where Richard shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Richard vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #62 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #431 and #2014.
Richard · Ross · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Henry vs Richard
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #62 in England and Wales · Boys, 4 places apart; by 2025 they were #13 and #431.
Henry · Richard · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Richard vs Max
In 1996 they stood at #62 and #56 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #431 and #48.
Richard · Max · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Dylan vs Richard
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #62 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #72 and #431.
Dylan · Richard · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — mirrored each other.
- Nora vs Heidi
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Girls, Nora rose about as far as Heidi fell — from #219 and #188 in 1945 to #3 and #437 in 2025.
Nora · Heidi · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Morten
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Morten fell — from #141 and #107 in 1945 to #16 and #214 in 2025.
Henrik · Morten · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Henrik vs Nils
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Nils fell — from #141 and #26 in 1945 to #16 and #61 in 2025.
Henrik · Nils · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Peter vs Henrik
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Henrik rose about as far as Peter fell — from #106 and #141 in 1945 to #174 and #16 in 2025.
Peter · Henrik · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs from Norway lists
Pairs measured inside Norway's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Ingrid vs Wenche
In 1945 they stood at #27 and #22 in Norway · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2008 they were #6 and #621.
Ingrid · Wenche · 58 shared years, 1945–2008 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Torill
In 1945 they stood at #38 and #39 in Norway · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2004 they were #10 and #599.
Anna · Torill · 55 shared years, 1945–2004 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ingrid vs Vigdis
In 1945 they stood at #27 and #32 in Norway · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2006 they were #6 and #583.
Ingrid · Vigdis · 52 shared years, 1945–2006 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Vigdis
In 1945 they stood at #38 and #32 in Norway · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2006 they were #10 and #583.
Anna · Vigdis · 52 shared years, 1945–2006 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Benjamin | Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'son of the right hand', with the underlying literal sense being 'son of the south' (since 'right' indicated the southerly direction in the biblical east-facing orientation convention). | From Old German elements 'rih' (ruler, king) and 'hart' (hard, firm, brave, hardy) — 'brave ruler'. Introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century. |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/ | /ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.əɹd/ |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #46 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #232 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Benjamin is recorded with a Biblical Hebrew origin, while Richard is recorded with a Germanic origin.
- Benjamin has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Richard.
- Benjamin's recorded meaning differs from Richard's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Benjamin
Popularity journey
First recorded1950
First recorded at #345 among boys in Norway in 1950 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1970–2023
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New Zealand, in 2003 (recorded 1970–2023).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #61 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys
Richard
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #219 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1954–1999
Highest recorded position: #9 among boys in New Zealand, in 1965 (recorded 1954–1999).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #431 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys