Nathan Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationNAY-thin / /ˈneɪθən/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: He has given; English: Gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nathan has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the verb 'natan,' which means 'to give.' The earliest form of the name appears in the Hebrew Bible as נָתָן (Natan), where it is associated with several biblical figures, most notably Nathan the prophet, who served during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE. The name was later transliterated into Greek as Ναθάν (Nathán) and subsequently into Latin as Nathanus, before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English as Nathan.
Historically, Nathan is significant due to its biblical connections, particularly through the prophet Nathan, who played a crucial role in advising King David and confronting him regarding his moral failings. This biblical narrative has been influential in Jewish and Christian traditions, contributing to the name's enduring presence in various cultures. The name appears in the genealogies of Jesus in the New Testament, further solidifying its importance in Christian contexts.
Culturally, Nathan has been associated with themes of wisdom and guidance, reflective of its biblical roots. The name has also been linked to various saints and notable figures throughout history, enhancing its resonance in religious and cultural narratives. In addition to Nathan, the name has several diminutive forms, such as Nate, which have emerged in various languages and cultures, although these forms are less historically significant than the original. Overall, Nathan's etymological journey and historical milestones underscore its lasting impact across different societies.
Trend Summary
Nathan has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Nathanael
- Nate
International Variants
- Natan (Polish)
- Nathanael (German)
- Nathanaël (French)
- Natan (Hebrew)
Famous people named Nathan
Nathan Fillion is an actor best known for Firefly, Castle, and The Rookie.
Nathan Lane is an actor best known for The Producers, The Birdcage, and The Lion King.
Nathan Chen is a figure skater best known for winning multiple World Championships and Olympic medals.
Nathan Myhrvold is an author and entrepreneur best known for Modernist Cuisine and his work with Microsoft.
Nathan Hale is a historical figure best known for being an American Revolutionary War soldier and spy.
Nathan Adrian is a swimmer best known for winning multiple Olympic gold medals in freestyle events.
Nathan Kress is an actor best known for his role in iCarly and its revival.
Nathan Fielder is a comedian and writer best known for Nathan for You and his work on Comedy Central.
Nathan Sykes is a singer best known as a member of The Wanted and for his solo career.
Fictional characters named Nathan
Nathan Drake is a fictional character from the video game series Uncharted. He is a treasure hunter known for his adventurous spirit and witty personality.
Nathan Scott is a fictional character from the TV series One Tree Hill. He is a talented basketball player who navigates complex relationships and personal challenges throughout the series.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Nathan was first seen in the United States in 1880. Nathan has ranked as high as #27 nationally, which occurred in 2004, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Nathan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Nathan (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 814 | |
TX | 629 | |
FL | 398 | |
NY | 346 | |
PA | 201 | |
IL | 186 | |
NC | 147 | |
MA | 145 | |
GA | 133 | |
OH | 128 | |
VA | 123 | |
MD | 123 | |
WA | 108 | |
AZ | 85 | |
MI | 84 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 114 |
1881 | 91 |
1882 | 113 |
1883 | 93 |
1884 | 100 |
1885 | 103 |
1886 | 136 |
1887 | 106 |
1888 | 129 |
1889 | 121 |
1890 | 110 |
1891 | 106 |
1892 | 144 |
1893 | 114 |
1894 | 127 |
1895 | 119 |
1896 | 110 |
1897 | 139 |
1898 | 99 |
1899 | 112 |
1900 | 186 |
1901 | 131 |
1902 | 143 |
1903 | 146 |
1904 | 131 |
1905 | 168 |
1906 | 148 |
1907 | 176 |
1908 | 178 |
1909 | 209 |
1910 | 245 |
1911 | 348 |
1912 | 581 |
1913 | 615 |
1914 | 848 |
1915 | 916 |
1916 | 904 |
1917 | 881 |
1918 | 945 |
1919 | 849 |
1920 | 815 |
1921 | 751 |
1922 | 749 |
1923 | 739 |
1924 | 680 |
1925 | 615 |
1926 | 669 |
1927 | 636 |
1928 | 548 |
1929 | 513 |
1930 | 540 |
1931 | 442 |
1932 | 486 |
1933 | 413 |
1934 | 469 |
1935 | 468 |
1936 | 464 |
1937 | 434 |
1938 | 516 |
1939 | 467 |
1940 | 497 |
1941 | 527 |
1942 | 523 |
1943 | 581 |
1944 | 507 |
1945 | 488 |
1946 | 557 |
1947 | 617 |
1948 | 620 |
1949 | 660 |
1950 | 752 |
1951 | 870 |
1952 | 851 |
1953 | 806 |
1954 | 959 |
1955 | 950 |
1956 | 1,099 |
1957 | 1,225 |
1958 | 1,237 |
1959 | 1,378 |
1960 | 1,628 |
1961 | 1,491 |
1962 | 1,532 |
1963 | 1,541 |
1964 | 1,499 |
1965 | 1,418 |
1966 | 1,423 |
1967 | 1,432 |
1968 | 1,655 |
1969 | 1,908 |
1970 | 2,546 |
1971 | 3,048 |
1972 | 3,514 |
1973 | 4,735 |
1974 | 5,846 |
1975 | 7,069 |
1976 | 8,609 |
1977 | 9,888 |
1978 | 9,892 |
1979 | 10,721 |
1980 | 11,140 |
1981 | 11,258 |
1982 | 10,806 |
1983 | 10,558 |
1984 | 10,613 |
1985 | 10,652 |
1986 | 9,996 |
1987 | 9,910 |
1988 | 10,154 |
1989 | 10,907 |
1990 | 10,936 |
1991 | 10,498 |
1992 | 10,150 |
1993 | 10,197 |
1994 | 10,381 |
1995 | 10,306 |
1996 | 10,285 |
1997 | 10,443 |
1998 | 11,586 |
1999 | 12,537 |
2000 | 13,039 |
2001 | 12,647 |
2002 | 13,225 |
2003 | 13,667 |
2004 | 14,633 |
2005 | 14,364 |
2006 | 14,278 |
2007 | 13,604 |
2008 | 13,262 |
2009 | 12,135 |
2010 | 11,378 |
2011 | 10,522 |
2012 | 10,431 |
2013 | 9,721 |
2014 | 8,995 |
2015 | 8,599 |
2016 | 8,000 |
2017 | 7,441 |
2018 | 6,850 |
2019 | 6,087 |
2020 | 5,700 |
2021 | 5,431 |
2022 | 5,539 |
2023 | 5,066 |
2024 | 5,010 |