Of Latin origin.
From the Latin word “benedictus”, meaning blessed.
Saint Benedict (San Benedetto da Norcia) is considered the founder of western monasticism.
He was born in 480, in Norcia, a town near Spoleto, Italy, the son of a Roman noble.
He founded twelve communities of monks and his legacy is above all the “Regula Benedicti”. The “Rule of Saint Benedict” is a book with instructions, a sum of legislative codes for monks, that played a great role in the organization of monasticism in the Western world.
Benedict was the name of twelve popes.
Other forms of the name are: Benedikt, Bennett, Bengt, Benoit, Bendt, Benedito, Benedetto, Benito, Bettino, Bento, Ben, Bennie, Benny, Benedek, Benedykt, Benson.
The name has also a feminine form with several forms: Benedita, Benedikte, Bénédicte, Benoite, Bente, Benita, Bengta.
Famous bearers are: Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Allen, Benedict de Spinoza, Benedict Taylor, Benedict Wong, Benedict Sandiford, Benedict Samuel.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch was included in the “100 Makers of the 21st century” list by the Sunday Times.