The nameNathaniel

Nathaniel is a biblical name meaning "gift of God". It was in the American top 100 from 1978 to 2015.

Meaning

Nathaniel comes from the Hebrew Netanel, "God has given".

Origin

Hebrew. Nathanael is one of the first disciples of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

History

Popular with the Puritans, Nathaniel was borne by the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. It reached 60th place in the United States in 1998.

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Famous people named Nathaniel

Popularity of the name Nathaniel

Nathaniel in the United States

144thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2002peak year (6,829 births)
285,643babies named Nathaniel in the United States since 1880
03,4156,829 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Nathaniel was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 64,387 births over the decade, 23% of all recorded babies named Nathaniel. Its rise began around 1919, and it peaked in 2002. Half of all babies named Nathaniel in the United States were born before 1996. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,700 births a year on average, against 3,629 in the five years before.

Nathaniel in the United Kingdom

154thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2011peak year (567 births)
12,872babies named Nathaniel in the United Kingdom since 1997
0284567 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Nathaniel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 5,065 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Nathaniel. Half of all babies named Nathaniel in the United Kingdom were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 373 births a year on average, against 449 in the five years before.

Nathaniel in France

671stmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
2021peak year (70 births)
2,040babies named Nathaniel in France since 1900
03570 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Nathaniel in Norway

167thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025
2012peak year (71 births)
1,029babies named Nathaniel in Norway since 1945
03671 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Sibling names for Nathaniel

Names from the same generation as Nathaniel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Nathaniel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Nathaniel with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Nathaniel side by side with the name of your choice.

Nathaniel in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nathaniel mean?

Nathaniel comes from the Hebrew Netanel, "God has given".

What is the origin of the name Nathaniel?

Hebrew. Nathanael is one of the first disciples of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

Is Nathaniel a girl's or a boy's name?

Nathaniel is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Nathaniel?

In 2024, Nathaniel was the 144th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,511 births.

What are good sibling names for Nathaniel?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Madeline, Mary and Maria for a sister, Jesse, Miguel, Jesus and Adam for a brother.

Who are famous people named Nathaniel?

Nathaniel Hawthorne, novelist; Nathaniel Parker, actor; Nathaniel Rateliff, singer.