Nathan Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Nathan.
The name Nathan has ties to both Nathaniel and Jonathan, with all three names meaning something similar to “gift of God” or “God has given.” In the Old Testament, Nathan was a prophet and one of King David’s sons. He acted as a messenger to King David and is considered one of Jesus’ ancestors.
Origin: Nathan is a Hebrew name meaning “gift of God” or “he gave.”
Gender: Nathan is traditionally used as a boy name.
Pronunciation: NAY-thuhn
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
Tatyana Tomsickova Photography / Getty Images
How Popular Is the Name Nathan?
Nathan is popular in Europe, often ranking in the top 100 boys' names in countries like France and Belgium. It’s also quite popular here in the US, too. Per the Social Security Administration's rankings, it has remained in the top 100 boys' names since 1972. After hitting No. 45 in 1975, it didn't dip below No. 50 again until 2019. In 2022, Nathan was in the 57th spot. Its peak popularity was at No. 20 in 2004 and 2005.
It's unclear why the name Nathan became so popular in the '70s. However, it could be because the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, hosted by the iconic Coney Island institution Nathan’s Famous, had its inaugural contest in 1972 with much fanfare and publicity. It’s possible that event had something to do with putting Nathan on the radar—and it has stayed popular ever since, thanks to its immense likability.
Name Variations
While Nathan actually remains the same across a variety of languages, there are a few variations including:
Similar Names
Other Hebrew boy names include:
Aaron
Adam
Benjamin
David
Elijah
Isaac
Jacob
Joshua
Levi
Noah
Simon
Other names starting with "N" include:
Nash
Nasir
Neil
Nico
Nicolas
Nils
Nixon
Nolan
Norman
Other boy names with two syllables include:
Brandon
Caleb
Ethan
Jackson
Logan
Michael
Phillip
Robert
Thomas
Walter
Warren
Common Nicknames for Nathan
Because Nathan is already a fairly easy-to-say name, it doesn’t lend itself to many nicknames. But if you choose the name Nathan, you can call your child Nat or Nate for short.
Suggested Sibling Names
Looking for a sibling name for Nathan? Here are some popular options:
Abigail
Charlie
Charlotte
Camilla
Gabriel
Henrietta
Lucas
Millie
Molly
Nora
Oliver
Owen
Rebecca
Sarah
Sawyer
Violet
Famous People Named Nathan
Nathan is a name that never goes out of style or dates itself, so it’s no surprise that Nathans have popped up throughout history in many fields. From popular actor Nathan Fillion to Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the name can be found just about everywhere.
Famous Nathans
Nathan ("Nate") Berkus, American interior designer
Nathan Fielder, writer and comedian
Nathan Hale, American soldier and spy during the Revolutionary War
Nathan Handwerker, founder of Nathan’s Famous
Nathan Kress, Nickelodeon actor
Nathan Lane, an actor known for the Broadway musical The Producers
Nathan Fillion, actor known for TV shows such as Castle and The Rookie
Fictional Nathans
Prince Nathan, son of the title character in the comic strip “Prince Valiant”
Nathan Detroit, the lead character in Broadway musical Guys and Dolls
Nathan Drake, main character in the Uncharted video game series
Nathan Petrelli, ensemble character in NBC TV show Heroes
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.
