Nathan

Commonly interpreted as “he gave,” from a Hebrew root meaning “to give.”

Nathan is a masculine given name with roots in Hebrew language and long-standing use in many communities. In Jewish and Christian scriptures, Nathan is the name of a prophet, and that textual presence is one reason the name remained familiar and widely adopted over time. Etymologically, Nathan is commonly connected to the Hebrew root n-t-n meaning “to give,” and it’s often glossed as “he gave.” As with many biblical-origin names, meaning and cultural context are intertwined, so a neutral description that acknowledges the scriptural association is typically the most accurate approach. Pronunciation in English is often NAY-thun. “Nate” is a very common nickname, and the spelling “Natan” appears in some transliteration contexts while staying close in sound.

Etymology: From Hebrew Natan, linked to a verb meaning “to give.” In Jewish and Christian scriptures, Nathan is also the name of a prophet, which contributes to the name’s long-term use.