William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nathanael
BoyHebrew· “God has given”
- Meaning
- God has given
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- nuh-THAN-yuhl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #632
- US babies 2025
- 442
- Best rank
- #406 (1998)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Nathanael
Nathanael is a Hebrew name that means “God has given”.
Nathanael is a form of Nathaniel, from the Hebrew Netanel, meaning "God has given". This spelling is the one used in the Gospel of John, where Nathanael is a disciple whom Jesus describes as a man without deceit; he is often identified with the apostle Bartholomew and venerated as a saint. The name was used among English Puritans, and the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne is a well-known bearer of the related spelling. Nathanael is gentle and scholarly, with a classic biblical weight. Nate and Nathan are familiar short forms, and the spelling gives it a slightly distinctive look.
Popularity over time
Nathanael first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 54 different years, starting in 1972. Its best national rank was #406 in 1998, and the most babies received it in 2000, when 609 were named Nathanael. In 2025, 442 babies were named Nathanael, and it ranked #632 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,398 in 1950, #447 in 1980, #408 in 2000, #538 in 2010, and #632 in 2025. Of the 22,227 US boys named Nathanael since records began, 26% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 4,606 babies. Since 2010, 6,497 more have been named Nathanael.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Felipe, Blaine, Garret, Kevon, and Jaquan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nathanael ranked highest in South Dakota, Nevada, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #290 | 5 |
| Nevada | #381 | 8 |
| Georgia | #437 | 26 |
| Massachusetts | #456 | 11 |
| Florida | #485 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Nathanael is usually pronounced nuh-THAN-yuhl, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with N and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Nathanael
A few middle names that flow with Nathanael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nathanael
Similar names
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rah-fy-EHL
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Ezekiel Boy
ih-ZEE-kee-uhl
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Matteo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Italian
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Matthias Boy
muh-THY-uhs
“gift of God” · Greek
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Michael Boy
MY-kuhl
“who is like God?” · Hebrew
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Lists that include Nathanael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nathanael mean?
Nathanael is a Hebrew name that means “God has given”.
What is the origin of the name Nathanael?
Nathanael has Hebrew roots. Nathanael is a form of Nathaniel, from the Hebrew Netanel, meaning "God has given".
Is Nathanael a popular name?
Yes. Nathanael ranked #632 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Nathanael a boy or girl name?
Nathanael is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Nathanael?
Nathanael is usually pronounced nuh-THAN-yuhl. 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