Nathan
Nathan: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈneɪθən/
Meaning and origin of Nathan
- A male given name from Hebrew, of Biblical origin.
Etymology
From Hebrew נָתָן (natán, “gave”). Also short for Jonathan.
How popular is Nathan?
Since 1880, 1,774 girls and 587,497 boys in the U.S. have been named Nathan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1386 in 1983. Its highest rank for boys was #20 in 2004. In 2025 it ranked #63 for boys, with 4,980 babies given the name.
Names similar to Nathan
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Nathan
Sister and brother names that share Nathan's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Nathan FAQ
What does the name Nathan mean?
A male given name from Hebrew, of Biblical origin. From Hebrew נָתָן (natán, “gave”). Also short for Jonathan.
What is the origin of the name Nathan?
Nathan is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Nathan?
Since 1880, 1,774 girls and 587,497 boys in the U.S. have been named Nathan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1386 in 1983. Its highest rank for boys was #20 in 2004. In 2025 it ranked #63 for boys, with 4,980 babies given the name.
Is Nathan a boy or girl name?
Nathan is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,774 girls and 587,497 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.