Nathan
Nathan is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “he gave, gift of God.” It ranked #63 in the United States in 2025. From Hebrew 'Natan,' meaning 'he gave.'
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how do you pronounce Nathan?
NAY-thun
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 prophet Nathan in the Old Testament boldly rebuked King David for his wrongdoing, becoming a symbol of moral courage and speaking truth to power.
how popular is this name?
Nathan has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #20 in 2004, and ranked #63 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #63 |
| 2024 | #62 |
| 2023 | #59 |
| 2022 | #57 |
| 2021 | #59 |
| 2020 | #55 |
| 2019 | #55 |
| 2018 | #48 |
| 2017 | #45 |
| 2016 | #43 |
| 2010 | #27 |
| 2004 | #20 |
| 2000 | #30 |
| 1990 | #44 |
| 1980 | #36 |
| 1970 | #130 |
| 1960 | #190 |
| 1950 | #243 |
| 1940 | #243 |
| 1930 | #234 |
| 1920 | #172 |
| 1910 | #135 |
| 1900 | #125 |
| 1890 | #130 |
| 1880 | #115 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Nathan fell outside the top 1,000.
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.
who are famous people named Nathan?
- Nathan Hale (American Revolutionary hero)
- Nathan Fillion (actor)
- Nathan (biblical prophet)
what are the nicknames and variants of Nathan?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
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.
quick answers about Nathan
What does the name Nathan mean?
Nathan means “he gave, gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Nathan?
Nathan comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Natan, Nathaniel and Nathanael.
How popular is the name Nathan?
Nathan ranked #63 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2004, at #20, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Nathan a boy or girl name?
Nathan is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Nathan?
Nathan is pronounced NAY-thun, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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