Benedict \b(e)-nedi-ct, ben(e)-dict\ as a boy's name is pronounced BEN-a-dikt. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Benedict is "blessed". From Church Latin Benedictus. A name used by 16 popes and the saint who founded the Christian monastic order, the Benedictines, whose rule of the great monastery at Monte Cassino in Italy is simple, restrained, and practical. Shakespeare's Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing" is a self-assured, witty bachelor. Benedict is used mainly by Roman Catholics; Bennett is the more common form. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini; actor Benicio del Toro.

Benedict has 23 variant forms: Ben, Bendick, Bendict, Benedetto, Benedick, Benedicto, Benedictos, Benedictus, Benedikt, Benedikte, Bengt, Benicio, Benito, Bennedict, Bennedikt, Bennet, Bennett, Bennie, Bennito, Bennt, Benoit, Bent and Venedictos.

For more information, see also the related name Baruch.