Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jonathan
BoyHebrew· “Yahweh has given”
- Meaning
- Yahweh has given
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAH-nuh-thuhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #89
- US babies 2025
- 3,822
- Best rank
- #15 (1988)
- Peak year
- 1988
Meaning and origin of Jonathan
Jonathan is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh has given”.
Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, "Yahweh has given". In the Books of Samuel, Jonathan is the son of King Saul and the devoted friend of David, and their loyalty to each other is one of the Bible's most famous friendships. The name became common in England after the Reformation. Jonathan Swift, the Anglo-Irish satirist who wrote Gulliver's Travels, is a well-known bearer, and "Brother Jonathan" was an early personification of New England and later of the United States. The name feels friendly and dependable. Jon and Jonny are common nicknames, and Johnathan is a frequent variant spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Johnathan, Jonathon, Johnathon, Jonothan.
Popularity over time
Jonathan has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #15 in 1988, the same year it reached its highest count of 24,349 babies. In 2025, 3,822 babies were named Jonathan, and it ranked #89 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #596 in 1920, #163 in 1950, #21 in 1980, #21 in 2000, #28 in 2010, and #89 in 2025. Of the 870,866 US boys named Jonathan since records began, 26% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 197,503 babies. Since 2010, 105,274 more have been named Jonathan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Benjamin, Aaron, Justin, Andrew, and Travis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jonathan ranked highest in Alabama, California, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #64 | 71 |
| California | #65 | 541 |
| Maryland | #67 | 78 |
| Connecticut | #68 | 53 |
| Alaska | #71 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jonathan is usually pronounced JAH-nuh-thuhn, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with J and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Johnathan, Jonathon, Johnathon, and Jonothan.
Middle names for Jonathan
A few middle names that flow with Jonathan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jonathan
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Lists that include Jonathan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jonathan mean?
Jonathan is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh has given”.
What is the origin of the name Jonathan?
Jonathan has Hebrew roots. Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, "Yahweh has given".
Is Jonathan a popular name?
Yes. Jonathan ranked #89 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Jonathan a boy or girl name?
Jonathan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jonathan?
Jonathan is usually pronounced JAH-nuh-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