Jonathan Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity & Nicknames (2025)

Jonathan is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning “gift of Jehovah.” Derived from the Hebrew name Yehonatan or Jehonathan, meaning ‘Yahweh has given,’ it has eventually got modified to the modern Yonatan, meaning “gift of Jehovah.” This Jewish and gentile name is Ionatán in Irish, and Jonatan in Spanish may offer fresher alternatives.

What Does Jonathan Mean?

Originating from Hebrew, the meaning of Jonathan is “YHWH has given.” A diminutive of Yehonatan, the meaning of Jonathan is “God has given.” It comes from the elementsyeho, about God, andNatan, meaning “to give.”

Origin

As aChristian name, Jonathandid not become common until after the Protestant Reformation in Europe. According to the Old Testament, Yahweh is the God of the Israelites. His name was revealed to Moses in the form of four Hebrew consonants. In the Old Testament, Jonathan was the valiant eldest son of King Saul. His friendship with his father’s rival and brother-in-lawDavidgave rise to the expression “Jonathan and David” to denote devoted and steadfast friendship. He was ultimately killed along with his father in the war with the Philistines. The Anglo-Irish satirist Jonathan Swift popularized this name in recent times among theEnglish-speaking countries of the world.

Gender

Male

Pronunciation

• jo-na-than
• jah-Nah-th(an)

Syllables

3 Syllables

Length/Letter

8 letters

Name Variations/Spellings

Nathan name variations have crossed borders to become worthy contenders across various languages. Here are some of the other spellings for Jonathan that would make their mark in the baby naming selection process:

How Popular Is the Name Jonathan?

Jonathan features in other languages throughout the world. This Biblical name has been on the US popularity charts since 1880 when it appeared in the Top 500 names. Around the 1940s, the Jonathan popularity index started steadily increasing while featuring in the Top 500 in the US. By the 1950s, the name started being widely used, and by the early 1960s, it entered the Top 100 names for boys. After being in the Top 50 names in the 1970s, it became a favorite choice for parents by the 1980s. According to the Social Security Administration data, the Jonathan baby name ranking peaked in 1988. However, after remaining high on the list for several decades, Jonathan’s present ranking stands at 136 as of 2021 data.

Interest in Jonathan – Worldwide

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A search value of over 60 has been recorded for Jonathan, reaching 100 in November 2013. The lowest recorded value was at 57 in March 2020 and September 2021, respectively.

Interest in Jonathan – US

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Search trends for the name Jonathan show a search value of over 60 reaching 100 in November 2013. It consecutively scored the lowest value of 57 in March 2020 and May 2021.

Popularity of the name Jonathan

URL:https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Jonathan – Worldwide

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Interest in the name Jonathan has been the highest in Zimbabwe in the past 10 years. Other countries like Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada, and United States occupy the top five positions. With Christianity being a dominant religion in Zimbabwe, Jonathan is highly appreciated and embraced by the parents of that country.

Search trends of Jonathan – US

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Among the sub-regions in the US, the District of Columbia leads in the search trends for the name Jonathan over the last 10 years. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have secured their respective places in the top five positions.

Middle Names That Go With Jonathan

Amiddle namecan complement the first name or portray its unique identity. Some of the best double names with Nathan that might sound meaningful and sounds good when you say your baby girl’s full name aloud are:

Famous People Named Jonathan

Successful people from different walks of life often inspire parents looking for a suitable name for their baby. Here is a list of some of the most famous people called Jonathan who might influence your choice of names:

Similar Names & Last Names

Baby names like Jonathan have a similar vibe without being overused. Jonathan’s family names began to identify a certain aspect of an individual, either by trade, father’s name, location of birth, or physical features. Here are some of the other names for Jonathan that might sound appealing to hear.

Names That Sound Like Jonathan

The rhyming names that go with Jonathan sound soothing to the listener. Here are some of the names that rhyme with Jonathan to offer predictable pleasure.

As sibling relationship is like no other, their names should be matched to convey the depth of their love. Some of the suitable sibling names with Jonathan, including both sister names for Jonathan and brother names for Jonathan that will make delightful combinations:

Nicknames for Jonathan

Nicknames are special monikers that can be conceived by breaking down complicated names. Here is a comprehensive list of some of the best nicknames for the name Jonathan that might bring back fond memories that are sure to make your child break into a smile.

The Bible has portrayed Jonathan as a man of immense strength. This name makes a great pick for those looking for J names for boys and a name with a solid foundation. Moreover, this vintage name fits in well with other trending names among the Top 100, yet it is polished enough to stand apart from the rest.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Jonathan Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&geo=US&q=Jonathan
Jonathan Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&q=Jonathan
Jonathan Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&geo=US&q=Jonathan
Jonathan Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&q=Jonathan