Nathan is a popular given name of Hebrew origin. It comes from the Hebrew name Natan, which means "he gave" or "gift". This name is derived from the root verb natan, meaning "to give".
The name Nathan first appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nathan was a prophet who played an important role in the life of King David. He was the one who prophesied that David's son Solomon would succeed him as king and that his kingdom would be established forever.
In ancient times, Nathan was a popular name among Jews and later on it became common among Christians too due to its biblical significance. Throughout history, many notable individuals have borne this name, including Nathan the prophet himself, Nathan Hale, an American spy during the Revolutionary War, Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general during the Civil War, and Nathan Phillips, a Native American veteran who gained fame for his involvement in the Standing Rock protests.
Today, Nathan remains a popular given name worldwide. It has been consistently ranked among the top 100 names for boys in several countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its biblical roots, strong historical figures associated with it, as well as its simple yet powerful meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trend of the name Nathan in the United States over time.
From 1915 to around the mid-1960s, the number of births with the name Nathan was relatively low and fluctuated between 5 to 13 births per year. However, starting from 1968, there was a noticeable increase in its popularity, with more than 20 births recorded annually.
The peak period for the name Nathan occurred between 1974 and 1985, during which it consistently appeared among the top boys' names. In 1983, Nathan reached its zenith with 86 births that year alone, making it one of the most popular boy's names in the United States at that time.
However, the popularity of Nathan began to decline after the mid-1980s. Although it remained among the top names until around 2005, the annual number of births with this name fell below the peak years' levels. Since then, the number of babies named Nathan has continued to decrease, with fewer than 20 births recorded each year from 2009 onwards.
In summary, over the past century, the name Nathan has experienced fluctuations in popularity in the United States. Despite its ups and downs, it remains a classic choice for parents seeking a timeless and strong-sounding name for their baby boys.