The nameJonathan
Jonathan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given". The name of the loyal friend of David, it has long been a favourite in English.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, "Yahweh has given".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Bible, Jonathan is the son of King Saul and the devoted friend of David.
History
Jonathan was a Puritan name. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, made it famous. It was in the American top 20 in the 1980s and 1990s. Jon, Jonny and Nathan are related forms.
Jonathan in other languages
Jonathan is spelled the same in English, French and German. It is Gionata in Italian, Jonatán in Spanish, Jônatas in Portuguese and Yehonatan in Hebrew, "God has given".
Nicknames for Jonathan
The most common nicknames for Jonathan: Jon, Jonny and Nathan.
Did you know?
- Jonathan, a giant tortoise living on Saint Helena and hatched around 1832, is thought to be the oldest known land animal.
- Jonathan Ive led the design of the iPod, the iPhone and the iMac at Apple.
Famous people named Jonathan
- Jonathan, friend of David
- Jonathan Swift, writer
- Jonathan Ive, designer
- Jonathan Bailey, actor
Popularity of the name Jonathan
Jonathan in the United States
Jonathan was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 231,543 births over the decade, 27% of all recorded babies named Jonathan. Its rise began around 1954, and it peaked in 1988. Half of all babies named Jonathan in the United States were born before 1990. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 4,312 births a year on average, against 6,490 in the five years before.
Jonathan in the United Kingdom
Jonathan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 8,193 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Jonathan. Half of all babies named Jonathan in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 184 births a year on average, against 261 in the five years before.
Jonathan in Ireland
Jonathan in France
Jonathan in Belgium
Jonathan in Switzerland
Jonathan in Austria
Jonathan in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jonathan
Names from the same generation as Jonathan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jonathan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jonathan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jonathan side by side with the name of your choice.
Jonathan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jonathan mean?
Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, "Yahweh has given".
What is the origin of the name Jonathan?
Hebrew. In the Bible, Jonathan is the son of King Saul and the devoted friend of David.
Is Jonathan a girl's or a boy's name?
Jonathan is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Jonathan?
In 2024, Jonathan was the 83rd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 4,018 births.
What are the variants of the name Jonathan?
Variants and related names of Jonathan include Yoni.
What are good sibling names for Jonathan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Maria, Sara and Madison for a sister, Jordan, José, Jacob and Joshua for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Jonathan?
The most common nicknames for Jonathan are Jon, Jonny and Nathan.
Who are famous people named Jonathan?
Jonathan, friend of David; Jonathan Swift, writer; Jonathan Ive, designer; Jonathan Bailey, actor.