Origin, Meaning, And History Of Nathan
Nathan is a popular Hebrew name for boys, meaning ‘gift of God’ or ‘given.’ It is also a contraction of Nathaniel, which means ‘God has given.’
The name Nathan appears in the Bible’s Old Testament as a prophet chosen by God to deliver messages to King David. He is also known for his wisdom and ability to see into the hearts of others.
Nathan has been a popular name in the English-speaking world since the 17th century and has become popular in the United States since the late 20th century.
The name Nathan has historical associations with many notable people in addition to its biblical roots, such as Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general during the American Civil War, and Nathan Hale, an American soldier and spy during the Revolutionary War.
Nathan is a well-known name in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has been among the top 100 most popular boys’ names in the United States for several decades and is still a popular choice today.
The common variations of this name include Nathanael (French), Nathaneal (United States and other English-speaking countries), Nathaniel (English-speaking countries), Natan (Jewish), Natanael (Spanish and Portuguese), Nethanel (Jewish), Nethaneel (Jewish), Nathon (United States), and Nussen (Yiddish).
Some nicknames of Nathan are Nat, Nate, Nath, Nats, Natty, Nay, Tate, and Thanny. Many fictional characters make this name famous, including Nathan Petrelli from the television show ‘Heroes,’ Nathan Drake from the video game series ‘Uncharted,’ Nathan Young from the television show ‘Misfits,’ Nathan Scott from the television show ‘One Tree Hill,’ Nathan Riggs from the television show ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ among others.
The biblical significance of the name, its versatility, and the popularity of names that were similar in sound and meaning, like Jonathan and Matthew, can all be credited for its popularity.
Nathan
How To Pronounce Nathan?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Nathan in English.
Famous People With The Name Nathan
- Nathan Ghar-jun AdrianAmerican competitive swimmer, five-time Olympic gold medalist
- Nathan BeauregardAmerican blues singer and guitarist, known for tunes like ‘Spoonful’ and ‘Pretty Bunch of Daisies’
- Nathan FillionCanadian-American actor famous for his roles in ‘Firefly’ and ‘Castle’
- Nathan DealAmerican lawyer and politician, former Governor of Georgia.
- Nathan KressAmerican actor famous for his roles in ‘iCarly’ and ‘Pinky Malinky’
- Nathan LarsonAmerican rock musician and film score composer, member of the band ‘Shudder To Think’
- Nathan MilsteinRussian-American virtuoso violinist, best known for works from the Romantic period
Nathan On The Popularity Chart
Nathan is a popular name in countries with a large English-speaking Christian population.
Popularity Over Time
Nathan reached its peak popularity in the early years of the 21st century. However, its usage declined during the 2010s. Check out the graph below.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name Nathan has been a popular name for baby boys in the US for many years. It has seen a consistent improvement in ranking after the mid-2000s.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Nathan
If the sound of Nathan piqued your interest and you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind name, here is a list of names that sound similar.
Popular Sibling Names For Nathan
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Nathan, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Nathan
Find matching brother names for Nathan and create a wonderful team of siblings.
NathanaellNathaneal Nathanel Nathanial Nathaniel Nathaniell Nathanna Nathanyell Nathen Nathin Girl Sibling Names For Nathan
Looking for some suitable sister names for Nathan? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
NaethrNathaara Nathacha Nathalee Nathalia Nathalie Nathaly Nathania Natharie Nathifa Other Popular Names Beginning With N
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter N to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Nathan
If the meaning of the name Nathan appeals to you but you’re searching for other possibilities, take a look at the list of names with related meanings below.
Infographic: Know The Name Nathan‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name Nathan In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Nathan
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Nathan?
The name Nathan means ‘gift of God’ or ‘God has given.’
2. What is the origin of the name Nathan?
Nathan has a Hebrew origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Nathan?
Nathan is pronounced as ney-thin.
4. Are there any famous people named Nathan?
Yes, there are several famous personalities named Nathan. For instance, the award-winning American actor Nathan Lane is known for his portrayals in musicals A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996) and The Producers (2001). Further, Nathan Alterman was an Israeli poet, journalist and prominent figure in Israeli Socialist Zionist politics.
5. Is Nathan a unisex name?
Nathan is predominantly a masculine name and there is no official record of it being used as a feminine name in the US Social Security Administration data (1).
References:
- Popularity of name Nathan.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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