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The short answer
Nathan is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "he gave", from נָתָן (Naṯan). In the Old Testament it belongs to a prophet who chastised King David and later championed Solomon as his successor, as well as to a son of David and Bathsheba. Behind the Name notes it has been used as a Christian given name since the Protestant Reformation. It is pronounced NAY-thən. In the United States it ranked #63 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Nathan as "from the Hebrew name נָתָן (Naṯan) meaning 'he gave'". In the Old Testament it is the name of a prophet during the reign of King David who "chastised David for his adultery with Bathsheba and for the death of Uriah the Hittite" and later "championed Solomon as David's successor"; it was also the name of a son of David and Bathsheba. The entry notes it has been used as a Christian given name in the English-speaking world since the Protestant Reformation, citing American Revolutionary War spy Nathan Hale (1755–1776) as a famous bearer.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | נָתָן (Naṯan) | he gave |
Popularity
Nathan ranked #63 for boys in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #63 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Nat, Nate
Variants: Natan
Related names: None documented.
What the name feels like
Nathan is a Biblical classic that has stayed in steady, comfortable use for generations without ever feeling dated or overly formal, helped by the friendly short forms Nat and Nate.
Style tags: Biblical, classic, two syllables
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Nathan's Biblical roots or its classic, two-syllable sound.
Similar by origin
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nathan mean?
Nathan means "he gave". It comes from the Hebrew name נָתָן (Naṯan).
Is Nathan a Biblical name?
Yes. In the Old Testament, Nathan was a prophet during the reign of King David who confronted David over his adultery with Bathsheba and later supported Solomon as his successor; it was also the name of a son of David and Bathsheba.
Is Nathan a popular name?
Yes. Nathan ranked #63 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Nathan — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
