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Jonathan Boy

Popularity: #82 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJON-uh-thun / /ˈdʒɒnəθən/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: God has given; English: gift from God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jonathan has its roots in the Hebrew name Yonatan (יוֹנָתָן), which is derived from the elements "yeho" (יְהוֹ) meaning "Yahweh" or "the Lord" and "natan" (נָתַן) meaning "to give." Thus, the literal meaning of Jonathan can be interpreted as "Yahweh has given." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Jonathan is notably recognized as the son of King Saul and a close friend of David, a significant figure in the biblical narrative. The name was subsequently adopted into Greek as Iōnathas and later into Latin as Jonathan, before making its way into Old French and finally into Middle English by the 13th century.

Historically, Jonathan has been borne by various notable figures, including saints and scholars. One prominent example is Saint Jonathan, a Christian martyr who is commemorated in various Christian traditions. The name's biblical association has contributed to its enduring presence in Christian communities throughout the centuries. The King James Bible, published in 1611, further solidified the name's prominence in English-speaking cultures by translating the Hebrew texts into English, ensuring that the stories of biblical figures like Jonathan were widely disseminated.

Culturally, the name Jonathan has been associated with loyalty and friendship, largely due to the biblical account of Jonathan's unwavering support for David. This theme of loyalty has resonated through literature and art, reinforcing the name's significance in various cultural contexts. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Jon or Johnny have emerged, reflecting a more informal or affectionate usage of the name while retaining its original meaning. Overall, Jonathan's rich etymological background and historical significance contribute to its lasting resonance in various cultures.

Trend Summary

Jonathan has consistently been a popular name in the United States, particularly peaking in the 1980s and 1990s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jon
  • Jonny
  • Nathan

International Variants

  • Jonatán (Spanish)
  • Jonathan (French)
  • Yehonatan (Hebrew)

Famous people named Jonathan

Jonathan Swift is a writer best known for Gulliver's Travels, A Modest Proposal, and The Tale of a Tub.

Jonathan Franzen is an author best known for The Corrections, Freedom, and Purity.

Jonathan Groff is an actor best known for Hamilton, Mindhunter, and Glee.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is an actor best known for The Tudors, Match Point, and Elvis.

Jonathan Banks is an actor best known for Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Wiseguy.

Jonathan Nolan is a screenwriter and producer best known for Westworld, The Dark Knight, and Interstellar.

Jonathan Demme is a director best known for The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and Rachel Getting Married.

Jonathan Adler is a designer best known for his home decor and pottery collections.

Jonathan Winters is a comedian and actor best known for Mork & Mindy, The Jonathan Winters Show, and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Jonathan Lethem is an author best known for Motherless Brooklyn, The Fortress of Solitude, and Chronic City.

Jonathan Safran Foer is an author best known for Everything Is Illuminated, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and Eating Animals.

Jonathan Van Ness is a television personality best known for Queer Eye, Getting Curious, and his podcast.

Fictional characters named Jonathan

Jonathan Joestar is a fictional character from the manga and anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. He is the first protagonist of the series, known for his strong sense of justice and determination to defeat evil.

Jonathan Crane is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. He is better known as Scarecrow, a villain who uses fear as a weapon against his enemies.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jonathan was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jonathan has ranked as high as #21 nationally, which occurred in 1988, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Jonathan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jonathan (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 584
15%
TX 544
14%
FL 274
7%
NY 202
5%
NC 150
4%
GA 142
4%
PA 129
3%
IL 123
3%
OH 115
3%
TN 113
3%
VA 109
3%
WA 98
3%
AZ 98
3%
MD 87
2%
MA 81
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188018
188121
188227
188317
188421
188530
188619
188710
188817
188912
189016
189112
189213
18939
189416
18959
189618
189715
189813
18998
190011
19019
190222
190319
190414
190514
190612
190711
190812
190915
191019
191124
191248
191353
191477
191583
1916100
191796
191883
191977
1920111
1921122
1922117
192397
192497
1925114
1926106
1927108
1928115
192991
1930103
1931117
1932118
1933126
1934133
1935167
1936172
1937197
1938235
1939295
1940276
1941359
1942553
1943575
1944639
1945881
19461,102
19471,197
19481,283
19491,432
19501,538
19511,775
19522,063
19532,335
19542,743
19553,023
19563,125
19573,049
19583,083
19593,083
19603,341
19613,483
19624,255
19634,469
19644,646
19654,723
19664,663
19674,920
19685,806
19697,082
19708,194
19718,629
19729,223
197310,271
197410,231
197510,903
197611,315
197712,322
197812,514
197914,333
198018,988
198122,593
198223,114
198322,756
198423,344
198524,116
198623,973
198723,120
198824,348
198923,607
199024,077
199122,975
199221,415
199319,952
199419,068
199518,155
199618,602
199718,541
199817,649
199917,066
200016,888
200116,146
200215,514
200314,993
200414,375
200514,442
200614,387
200713,809
200812,904
200911,384
201011,140
201110,253
20129,369
20138,575
20148,120
20157,656
20166,980
20176,527
20185,774
20195,466
20204,755
20214,458
20224,213
20234,088
20244,018