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Nathan Boy

Popularity: #61 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
CA 814
17%
TX 629
13%
FL 398
8%
NY 346
7%
PA 201
4%
IL 186
4%
NC 147
3%
MA 145
3%
GA 133
3%
OH 128
3%
VA 123
3%
MD 123
3%
WA 108
2%
AZ 85
2%
MI 84
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880114
188191
1882113
188393
1884100
1885103
1886136
1887106
1888129
1889121
1890110
1891106
1892144
1893114
1894127
1895119
1896110
1897139
189899
1899112
1900186
1901131
1902143
1903146
1904131
1905168
1906148
1907176
1908178
1909209
1910245
1911348
1912581
1913615
1914848
1915916
1916904
1917881
1918945
1919849
1920815
1921751
1922749
1923739
1924680
1925615
1926669
1927636
1928548
1929513
1930540
1931442
1932486
1933413
1934469
1935468
1936464
1937434
1938516
1939467
1940497
1941527
1942523
1943581
1944507
1945488
1946557
1947617
1948620
1949660
1950752
1951870
1952851
1953806
1954959
1955950
19561,099
19571,225
19581,237
19591,378
19601,628
19611,491
19621,532
19631,541
19641,499
19651,418
19661,423
19671,432
19681,655
19691,908
19702,546
19713,048
19723,514
19734,735
19745,846
19757,069
19768,609
19779,888
19789,892
197910,721
198011,140
198111,258
198210,806
198310,558
198410,613
198510,652
19869,996
19879,910
198810,154
198910,907
199010,936
199110,498
199210,150
199310,197
199410,381
199510,306
199610,285
199710,443
199811,586
199912,537
200013,039
200112,647
200213,225
200313,667
200414,633
200514,364
200614,278
200713,604
200813,262
200912,135
201011,378
201110,522
201210,431
20139,721
20148,995
20158,599
20168,000
20177,441
20186,850
20196,087
20205,700
20215,431
20225,539
20235,066
20245,010