Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dathan
BoyHebrew
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- DAY-thuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #10,961
- US babies 2025
- 6
- Best rank
- #1,197 (1975)
- Peak year
- 2005
Meaning and origin of Dathan
Dathan is usually linked to Hebrew roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Dathan is a Hebrew name of uncertain meaning, found in the Book of Numbers. Dathan, together with his brother Abiram and with Korah, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron and was swallowed by the earth. Some link the name to a word for law or fountain, but these readings are uncertain. It is said DAY-thuhn. Despite the biblical story, the name has been used occasionally in English, especially in the US. It sounds like Nathan and Ethan, which makes it familiar but distinct.
Popularity over time
Dathan first appears in US Social Security records in 1958. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,197 in 1975, and the most babies received it in 2005, when 53 were named Dathan. In 2025, 6 babies were named Dathan, and it ranked #10,961 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,817 in 1980, #2,440 in 2000, #3,326 in 2010, and #10,961 in 2025. Of the 1,571 US boys named Dathan since records began, 27% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 273 babies. Since 2010, 273 more have been named Dathan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Garin, Roque, Edvin, Juaquin, and Amaan.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Dathan is usually pronounced DAY-thuhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Dathan
A few middle names that flow with Dathan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dathan
Similar names
Ethan Boy
EE-thuhn
“firm, enduring, strong” · Hebrew
#24
Nathan Boy
NAY-thuhn
“he gave” · Hebrew
#63
Evan Boy
EH-vuhn
“Yahweh is gracious” · Welsh
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Ian Boy
EE-uhn
“God is gracious” · Scottish
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Adan Boy
ah-DAHN
“man, earth” · Spanish
#482
Jonathan Boy
JAH-nuh-thuhn
“Yahweh has given” · Hebrew
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Jordan Boy
JAWR-duhn
“to flow down” · Hebrew
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Juan Boy
WAHN
“God is gracious” · Spanish
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Ivan Boy
EYE-vuhn
“God is gracious” · Russian
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Sean Boy
SHAWN
“God is gracious” · Irish
#489
Johnathan Boy
JON-uh-thun
“God has given” · Hebrew
#508
Johan Boy
YOH-hahn
“God is gracious” · Scandinavian
#572
Lists that include Dathan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dathan mean?
Dathan is usually linked to Hebrew roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Dathan?
Dathan has Hebrew roots. Dathan is a Hebrew name of uncertain meaning, found in the Book of Numbers.
Is Dathan a popular name?
Not especially. Dathan ranked #10,961 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dathan a boy or girl name?
Dathan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Dathan?
Dathan is usually pronounced DAY-thuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings