Nathan
Nathan is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “he gave, gift of God.” It ranked #60 in the United States in 2025. From Hebrew 'Natan,' meaning 'he gave.
how do you pronounce Nathan?
NAY-thun
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Nathan mean?
The name Nathan means “he gave, gift of God.” It comes from the Hebrew language tradition.
From Hebrew 'Natan,' meaning 'he gave.' The prophet Nathan in the Old Testament boldly rebuked King David for his wrongdoing, becoming a symbol of moral courage and speaking truth to power.
where does the name Nathan come from?
From the Hebrew נָתָן, meaning he gave. It is the base element in Nathaniel and Jonathan, both of which add a divine name to it, so Nathan is the shorter and older form rather than a modern shortening of either.
the history of Nathan
Nathan is the prophet who confronts David over Bathsheba and Uriah, telling the parable of the poor man's lamb and then turning it on the king with the line you are the man — one of the sharpest reversals in the Hebrew Bible. The name has been in steady English use since the Reformation.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #60 |
| 2023 | #60 |
| 2022 | #59 |
| 2021 | #58 |
| 2020 | #57 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
what are the nicknames and variants of Nathan?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Nathan?
- Nathan Hale (American Revolutionary hero)
- Nathan Fillion (actor)
- Nathan (biblical prophet)
what names are similar to Nathan?
what names go well with Nathan?
Sibling names that share Nathan's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Nathan? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation