Nathan is a popular given name of Hebrew origin. It means "gift from God" or "He gave" in Hebrew. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "natan," which means "to give."
The name Nathan first appears in the Bible as one of King David's prophets. He was also the son of Jesse, who was the father of King David himself. In the biblical narrative, Nathan reproaches King David for his adultery with Bathsheba and later announces the birth of Solomon.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nathan. One such example is Nathan the Babylonian, a significant Jewish scholar and poet from the 10th century who was known for his biblical commentaries.
Today, Nathan remains a popular choice among parents seeking a name with strong biblical roots and a positive meaning. It has been consistently ranked among the top 500 most popular baby names in the United States since the 1960s. The name is also often associated with intelligence and wisdom due to its biblical provenance.
In conclusion, Nathan is an appealing given name of Hebrew origin that carries a meaningful and positive connotation. Its rich history and notable bearers make it a compelling choice for parents seeking a timeless and significant name for their child.
Here are some fascinating statistics about the name Nathan in the United States:
The name Nathan first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list of popular baby names in 1880, with a total of 114 births that year. The popularity of the name fluctuated in the late 19th century, with birth numbers ranging from 91 to 209 between 1881 and 1909.
The early 20th century saw a significant increase in Nathan's popularity, with birth numbers reaching over 500 by 1914. The name peaked at 945 births in 1918 before declining slightly to 849 births the following year.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Nathan's popularity remained relatively steady, with birth numbers ranging from 615 to 513. However, after World War II, the name began to regain popularity, reaching a new peak of 870 births in 1951.
The 1950s and 1960s saw further increases in Nathan's popularity, with birth numbers exceeding 1000 every year between 1956 and 1969. The name reached its highest point of popularity in the United States in 1973, with a total of 4735 births.
Despite fluctuations in popularity throughout the late 20th century, Nathan remained one of the top 500 baby names for boys in the United States every year between 1986 and 2023. In fact, as of the most recent data available from the Social Security Administration, there were a total of 5049 births with the name Nathan in the United States in 2023.
Overall, these statistics show that while the popularity of the name Nathan has waxed and waned over the past century and a half, it remains a widely-used and well-loved name for boys in the United States.