Jonathan Boy
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)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 584 | |
| TX | 544 | |
| FL | 274 | |
| NY | 202 | |
| NC | 150 | |
| GA | 142 | |
| PA | 129 | |
| IL | 123 | |
| OH | 115 | |
| TN | 113 | |
| VA | 109 | |
| WA | 98 | |
| AZ | 98 | |
| MD | 87 | |
| MA | 81 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 18 |
| 1881 | 21 |
| 1882 | 27 |
| 1883 | 17 |
| 1884 | 21 |
| 1885 | 30 |
| 1886 | 19 |
| 1887 | 10 |
| 1888 | 17 |
| 1889 | 12 |
| 1890 | 16 |
| 1891 | 12 |
| 1892 | 13 |
| 1893 | 9 |
| 1894 | 16 |
| 1895 | 9 |
| 1896 | 18 |
| 1897 | 15 |
| 1898 | 13 |
| 1899 | 8 |
| 1900 | 11 |
| 1901 | 9 |
| 1902 | 22 |
| 1903 | 19 |
| 1904 | 14 |
| 1905 | 14 |
| 1906 | 12 |
| 1907 | 11 |
| 1908 | 12 |
| 1909 | 15 |
| 1910 | 19 |
| 1911 | 24 |
| 1912 | 48 |
| 1913 | 53 |
| 1914 | 77 |
| 1915 | 83 |
| 1916 | 100 |
| 1917 | 96 |
| 1918 | 83 |
| 1919 | 77 |
| 1920 | 111 |
| 1921 | 122 |
| 1922 | 117 |
| 1923 | 97 |
| 1924 | 97 |
| 1925 | 114 |
| 1926 | 106 |
| 1927 | 108 |
| 1928 | 115 |
| 1929 | 91 |
| 1930 | 103 |
| 1931 | 117 |
| 1932 | 118 |
| 1933 | 126 |
| 1934 | 133 |
| 1935 | 167 |
| 1936 | 172 |
| 1937 | 197 |
| 1938 | 235 |
| 1939 | 295 |
| 1940 | 276 |
| 1941 | 359 |
| 1942 | 553 |
| 1943 | 575 |
| 1944 | 639 |
| 1945 | 881 |
| 1946 | 1,102 |
| 1947 | 1,197 |
| 1948 | 1,283 |
| 1949 | 1,432 |
| 1950 | 1,538 |
| 1951 | 1,775 |
| 1952 | 2,063 |
| 1953 | 2,335 |
| 1954 | 2,743 |
| 1955 | 3,023 |
| 1956 | 3,125 |
| 1957 | 3,049 |
| 1958 | 3,083 |
| 1959 | 3,083 |
| 1960 | 3,341 |
| 1961 | 3,483 |
| 1962 | 4,255 |
| 1963 | 4,469 |
| 1964 | 4,646 |
| 1965 | 4,723 |
| 1966 | 4,663 |
| 1967 | 4,920 |
| 1968 | 5,806 |
| 1969 | 7,082 |
| 1970 | 8,194 |
| 1971 | 8,629 |
| 1972 | 9,223 |
| 1973 | 10,271 |
| 1974 | 10,231 |
| 1975 | 10,903 |
| 1976 | 11,315 |
| 1977 | 12,322 |
| 1978 | 12,514 |
| 1979 | 14,333 |
| 1980 | 18,988 |
| 1981 | 22,593 |
| 1982 | 23,114 |
| 1983 | 22,756 |
| 1984 | 23,344 |
| 1985 | 24,116 |
| 1986 | 23,973 |
| 1987 | 23,120 |
| 1988 | 24,348 |
| 1989 | 23,607 |
| 1990 | 24,077 |
| 1991 | 22,975 |
| 1992 | 21,415 |
| 1993 | 19,952 |
| 1994 | 19,068 |
| 1995 | 18,155 |
| 1996 | 18,602 |
| 1997 | 18,541 |
| 1998 | 17,649 |
| 1999 | 17,066 |
| 2000 | 16,888 |
| 2001 | 16,146 |
| 2002 | 15,514 |
| 2003 | 14,993 |
| 2004 | 14,375 |
| 2005 | 14,442 |
| 2006 | 14,387 |
| 2007 | 13,809 |
| 2008 | 12,904 |
| 2009 | 11,384 |
| 2010 | 11,140 |
| 2011 | 10,253 |
| 2012 | 9,369 |
| 2013 | 8,575 |
| 2014 | 8,120 |
| 2015 | 7,656 |
| 2016 | 6,980 |
| 2017 | 6,527 |
| 2018 | 5,774 |
| 2019 | 5,466 |
| 2020 | 4,755 |
| 2021 | 4,458 |
| 2022 | 4,213 |
| 2023 | 4,088 |
| 2024 | 4,018 |