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Nathanael Boy

Popularity: #562 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationnuh-THAN-uhl / /nəˈθænəl/

Hebrew; Greek

Meaning

Hebrew: Gift of God; Greek: God has given

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Nathanael has its roots in the Hebrew name נְתַנְאֵל (Netan'el), which translates to "gift of God." This name is composed of two elements: "natan," meaning "to give," and "El," referring to God. The name was later rendered in Greek as Ναθαναήλ (Nathanaēl) and subsequently adopted into Latin as Nathanael, before making its way into Old French and then into English. The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, primarily through biblical texts and translations, notably the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped to popularize the name in the English-speaking world.

Historically, Nathanael is a significant figure in the New Testament, where he is identified as one of the apostles of Jesus. His mention in the Gospel of John, particularly in the context of his initial skepticism about Jesus being the Messiah, adds depth to his character and has contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian tradition. The name has also been associated with various saints throughout history, further solidifying its religious significance.

Culturally, Nathanael embodies themes of faith and revelation, often symbolizing the journey from doubt to belief. This transformation resonates with many believers and has led to the name being embraced in various Christian communities. The diminutive form "Nathan" is also historically relevant, often used as a familiar or affectionate variant, but Nathanael itself carries a more formal and traditional weight. Overall, the name Nathanael reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Trend Summary

Nathanael has seen a steady presence in baby name rankings, often associated with traditional and biblical naming trends.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Nathaniel
  • Natanel

International Variants

  • Nathanaël (French)
  • Natanael (Spanish)
  • Nataniel (Portuguese)

Famous people named Nathanael

Nathanael Hawthorne is a novelist best known for The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and The Blithedale Romance.

Nathanael West is a novelist and screenwriter best known for Miss Lonelyhearts, The Day of the Locust, and A Cool Million.

Fictional characters named Nathanael

Nathanael is a fictional character from the short story "The Sandman" by E.T.A. Hoffmann. He is a troubled young man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious figure that embodies his fears and anxieties.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nathanael was first seen in the United States in 1915. Nathanael has ranked as high as #742 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Nathanael has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Nathanael (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 65
18%
TX 48
14%
FL 35
10%
NY 26
7%
PA 19
5%
GA 17
5%
MA 11
3%
NC 11
3%
MI 9
3%
TN 9
3%
VA 9
3%
IL 9
3%
WA 9
3%
AZ 9
3%
IN 8
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19156
19166
19177
19225
19235
19257
19276
19309
19315
193211
19336
19358
19366
19385
19417
19437
19448
19457
19465
19479
19489
194911
195011
195110
19526
19536
19549
19557
19569
19576
19589
19595
196010
196110
196216
19638
196426
196510
196611
196723
196832
196927
197041
197161
197269
1973100
1974103
1975163
1976199
1977218
1978262
1979275
1980348
1981323
1982369
1983356
1984350
1985352
1986394
1987307
1988356
1989359
1990356
1991383
1992407
1993428
1994404
1995476
1996465
1997523
1998600
1999564
2000609
2001544
2002539
2003538
2004595
2005577
2006594
2007598
2008531
2009586
2010475
2011433
2012438
2013471
2014476
2015480
2016429
2017402
2018337
2019348
2020345
2021316
2022324
2023368
2024404