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Eben

Pronunciation: [ EHB-uhn ]

Boy Name #2,760 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Biblical stone of strength — shorter and stronger than Ebenezer

Christian English Welsh
Vintage Classic Spiritual Literary

Meaning & Origin

"stone of help"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"helping stone, memorial stone"
Origin: Hebrew (biblical)
Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

  • Shares sound with Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly character from A Christmas Carol

The Story of Eben

Eben is a shortened form of Ebenezer, from the Hebrew 'Eben ha-Ezer' (אֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר), meaning 'stone of help.' In the Bible (1 Samuel 7:12), Samuel erected a stone and named it Ebenezer to commemorate God's help in defeating the Philistines. The name fell out of fashion after Dickens immortalized Ebenezer Scrooge in 1843, but the shortened Eben retains the original nobility.

Eben has never been broadly popular but has maintained steady use in Wales (where it has Celtic resonance) and in devout Christian communities who appreciate its Biblical depth. It's been quietly rediscovered by parents who want a short, strong Biblical name.

In Welsh culture, Eben feels natural due to Wales's strong nonconformist Christian tradition and the prevalence of Biblical names. The Ebenezer chapels across Wales reflect this heritage.

Fun Facts

  • The word 'Ebenezer' gave us the word 'stone' in the phrase still used in some church names across Britain
  • Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens' A Christmas Carol is the most famous fictional bearer of the root name
  • In Welsh hymnody, 'Ebenezer' is a beloved hymn tune still sung in chapels today

Eben in Other Languages

Welsh Eben
French Eben
Hebrew אֶבֶן
Spanish Eben

Famous People Named Eben

E

Eben Upton

Engineer

1978

British engineer and co-creator of the Raspberry Pi, the single-board computer that revolutionized education in computin...

British engineer and co-creator of the Raspberry Pi, the single-board computer that revolutionized education in computing

E

Ebenezer Scrooge Fictional

Other

The reformed miser protagonist of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol; a cultural touchstone for redemption ...

The reformed miser protagonist of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol; a cultural touchstone for redemption and generosity

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,760
Total SSA Count
47
Cultural Origins
Christian English Welsh
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Eb

Pairs Well With

Eben James Eben John Eben Thomas Eben Lee Eben David

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Eben is also used as a girl name, ranked #33023.

View Eben as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Eben

What does the name Eben mean?
"stone of help" (from Hebrew). "helping stone, memorial stone" (from Hebrew (biblical)). Eben is a shortened form of Ebenezer, from the Hebrew 'Eben ha-Ezer' (אֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר), meaning 'stone of help.' In the Bible (1 Samuel 7:12), Samuel erected a stone and named it Ebenezer to commemorate God's help in defeating the Philistines. The name fell out of fashion after Dickens immortalized Ebenezer Scrooge in 1843, but the shortened Eben retains the original nobility.
What is the origin of the name Eben?
Eben has Hebrew, Hebrew (biblical), Christian, English, and Welsh origins. In Hebrew, it means "stone of help". In Hebrew (biblical), it means "helping stone, memorial stone".
Is Eben a boy or girl name?
Eben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2760. As a girl name, it is ranked #33023. Eben is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Eben?
Eben is pronounced EHB-uhn.
How popular is the name Eben?
Eben is currently ranked #2760 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Eben?
Common nicknames for Eben include Eb.
What are good middle names for Eben?
Popular middle name pairings include Eben James, Eben John, Eben Thomas, Eben Lee, and Eben David.
What are good sibling names for Eben?
Names that pair well with Eben as siblings include Ezra, Eli, Ruth, Naomi, and Caleb.
How many syllables does Eben have?
Eben has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Eben a common or rare name?
Eben is an uncommon name, ranked #2760 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Eben

Eben is a boy name with Christian, English, and Welsh origins . The name means "stone of help" in Hebrew .

Is Eben a boy or girl name? Eben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,760 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #33,023. Eben is more commonly used as a boy name.

Eben is currently ranked #2,760 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Eben has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHB-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Eben include Eb. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Eben include Ebenezer, Eber . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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