Benjy

Benjy is a masculine given name, often a diminutive of Benjamin. It is used in English-speaking countries and can serve as a nickname for someone named Benjamin. The given name Benjamin itself derives from Hebrew Binyamin, meaning “son of the right hand” or “favored son.” Variants include Ben, Benny, and Benji.

In literature, Benjy is most notably the name of a central character in William Faulkner’s novel The Sound and the Fury (1929). Benjy Compson is the youngest member of the Compson family; the first section of the novel is presented from his point of view, using a sensory, nonverbal mode of narration that reflects his cognitive limitations. The portrayal is often cited as an example of stream-of-consciousness narration and explores themes of memory, time, and the decline of the Southern aristocracy. The other sections shift to the perspectives of the other family members, providing a broader portrayal of the family and its collapse.

Beyond Faulkner, Benjy is used as a given name or nickname in various contexts, typically as a informal variation of Benjamin. It is less common than its shorter forms Ben or Benny.