Nathan
BoyHebrew · English /ˈneɪθən/; French /natɑ̃/.
Nathan is a Hebrew name meaning ‘he gave’, with a biblical history and a quietly warm, understated style.
Origin
Hebrew
Pronunciation
English /ˈneɪθən/; French /natɑ̃/.
He gave; he has given.
Nathan means ‘he gave’ in Hebrew. In the Hebrew Bible, Nathan is a prophet associated with King David, so the name has an identity of its own rather than needing a longer form to explain it. The familiar interpretation ‘God has given’ belongs more explicitly to compound names such as Nathaniel and Jonathan, which include a divine-name element. Nathan keeps the idea of giving in a simpler form. That meaning can lend it warmth, while its compact shape feels composed and unshowy—an appealing balance if you like biblical names without an elaborate sound.
Etymology: From Hebrew נָתָן, based on the verb ‘to give’. Nathan is also the name of a prophet in the Hebrew Bible.
Spelling table
Code
-. .- - .... .- -.
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Braille
⠠⠝⠁⠞⠓⠁⠝
Name popularity
Latest year: 2025
Boys
Rank63
Girls
Rank16,565
Source
SSA records cover Social Security card applications, not every US birth. Names with fewer than 5 occurrences are omitted; gaps do not mean zero. Spellings are kept separate, except that SSA removes spaces and hyphens. Equal counts are ranked alphabetically. Ranks are calculated separately for boys and girls.
Origin
Hebrew