The nameNathan
Nathan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "he gave". The name of a prophet at the court of King David, it is popular in Britain, France and North America.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Nathan comes from the Hebrew Natan, "he gave", short for Nathaniel, "God has given".
Origin
Hebrew. Nathan is the prophet who reproaches King David for his sin with Bathsheba.
History
Nathan was a Puritan name. It became fashionable again from the 1970s in the United States and Britain, and it was one of the leading boys' names in France in the 2000s. Nate is its usual short form.
Nathan in other languages
Nathan is spelled the same in English, French, German and Dutch. It is Natan in Spanish, Polish and modern Hebrew. In English it is also used as a short form of Nathaniel and Jonathan.
Nicknames for Nathan
The most common nicknames for Nathan: Nate and Nat.
Did you know?
- In the Bible, the prophet Nathan rebukes King David for having Uriah killed in order to marry Bathsheba.
- Nathan Hale, hanged by the British in 1776, is remembered for saying "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country".
- Nathan was the most popular boys' name in France in 2010.
Famous people named Nathan
- Nathan, prophet of the Bible
- Nathan Hale, American patriot
- Nathan Lane, actor
- Nathan Fillion, actor
Popularity of the name Nathan
Nathan in the United States
Nathan was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 135,107 births over the decade, 23% of all recorded babies named Nathan. Its rise began around 1960, and it peaked in 2004. Half of all babies named Nathan in the United States were born before 1996. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,353 births a year on average, against 7,402 in the five years before.
Nathan in the United Kingdom
Nathan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 26,098 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Nathan. Half of all babies named Nathan in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 660 births a year on average, against 865 in the five years before.
Nathan in Ireland
Nathan in France
Nathan in Belgium
Nathan in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Nathan
Names from the same generation as Nathan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Nathan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Nathan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Nathan side by side with the name of your choice.
Nathan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nathan mean?
Nathan comes from the Hebrew Natan, "he gave", short for Nathaniel, "God has given".
What is the origin of the name Nathan?
Hebrew. Nathan is the prophet who reproaches King David for his sin with Bathsheba.
Is Nathan a girl's or a boy's name?
Nathan is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Nathan?
In 2024, Nathan was the 62nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 5,010 births.
What are the variants of the name Nathan?
Variants and related names of Nathan include Nathanael.
What are good sibling names for Nathan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Abigail, Elizabeth, Madeline and Anna for a sister, David, Daniel, Caleb and Ethan for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Nathan?
The most common nicknames for Nathan are Nate and Nat.
Who are famous people named Nathan?
Nathan, prophet of the Bible; Nathan Hale, American patriot; Nathan Lane, actor; Nathan Fillion, actor.