Ben vs Houston

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ben

Boy #802 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"short form of Benjamin: son of the right hand"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew German Dutch American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#802
Total SSA Count
313
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Benny, Benji

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ben →

Houston

Boy #704 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Hugh's settlement, town"

Origin: Old English via Scottish

Cultural Roots

American English Southern American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#704
Total SSA Count
381
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hous, H

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Houston →

Popularity Comparison

Ben Rank #802
Houston Rank #704

Houston is more popular, ranked #704 vs #802 for Ben.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ben ___

  • Ben James
  • Ben Alexander
  • Ben Oliver
  • Ben Thomas
  • Ben William
  • Ben Samuel

Houston ___

  • Houston James
  • Houston Lee
  • Houston Ray
  • Houston Wayne
  • Houston Dean
  • Houston Cole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ben

Sam Eli Nora Lucy Max

If you choose Houston

Austin Dallas Savannah Georgia Montana

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ben or Houston more popular?

Houston is more popular, ranked #704 compared to Ben at #802 in the United States.

What do Ben and Houston mean?

Ben means "short form of Benjamin: son of the right hand" (Hebrew origin). Houston means "Hugh's settlement, town" (Old English via Scottish origin).

Are Ben and Houston boy or girl names?

Ben is primarily a boy name. Houston is primarily a boy name.

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