Jonathan Name Meaning
Jonathan is often used as a boy name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Jonathan.
Fact checked by Karen CilliFact checked by Karen Cilli
If you’re looking for a strong biblical name, then Jonathan is a great option to consider.
Jonathan is a Hebrew name meaning “God has given.” It is a shortened version of the name Jehonathan or yehōnātān (Yahweh has given). Yahweh is the god of the Israelites, whose name was revealed to Moses in the form of four Hebrew consonants.
The name is derived from two Hebrew elements; yeho referring to the Hebrew God and natan meaning “to give.”
The name Jonathan also appears in the Old Testament, where Jonathan was the oldest son of King Saul, and portrayed as a man of great strength.
Read on to learn about the name Jonathan, its popularity, variations, and famous people with the name.
Origin: Jonathan is a Hebrew name meaning “God has given.”
Gender: Jonathan is commonly used as a boy’s name.
Pronunciation: jo-na-than
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Jonathan?
Jonathan is one of the most popular names with a strong biblical connection. It also features in other languages throughout the world.
The name Jonathan has been on the US popularity charts since 1880 when it appeared in the top 500 names. Around the 1940s, the popularity of the name started steadily increasing around the world, while it continued to feature in the top 500 in the US.
By the 1950s, the name started picking up steam. By the early 1960s, it was one of the top 100 names for boys.
The 1970s saw the name in the top 50 names and the 1980s was when Jonathan was most popular. In fact, the name reached peak popularity in 1988, when it hit number 15, according to the Social Security Administration data.
Jonathan was listed in the top 50 names in the US every year from 1969 through 2015. Since then, its popularity has dropped a bit, and it ranked 82nd in 2023.
Name Variations
The following are variations of the name Jonathan:
Gionata (Italian)
Honatana (Maori)
Ionakana (Hawaiian)
Ionathan (Biblical Latin)
Janathan (Hebrew)
Jhonathan (Hebrew)
Johnathan (English)
Johnathon (English)
Jonacani (Fijian)
Jonasan (Japanese)
J?natas (Portuguese)
Jonatha (Hebrew)
Jonathas (French)
Jonathon (English)
Jonatyn (Hebrew))
Yehonatan (Biblical Hebrew)
Yonatan (Biblical Hebrew)
Yonoson (Biblical Hebrew)
Similar Names
Names with similar meaning as Jonathan:
Mathew (Gift of God)
Nathaniel (God has given)
Theodore (God’s gift)
Other biblical boy names:
Asher
Caleb
Elijah
Ezekiel
Isaiah
John
Joshua
Josiah
Samuel
Thaddeus
Tobias
Zachary
Other boy names starting with J:
Jackson
Jack
Jacob
James
Jameson
Jasper
Javier
Jayden
Jayson
Jeremy
Jericho
Jerome
Jesse
Jett
Joaquin
Joel
Johan
Jonah
Jordan
Jude
Justin
Common Nicknames for Jonathan
Here are some common nicknames for the name Jonathan:
Jay
Johnny
Jon
Jonny
Jonty
Yoni
Suggested Sibling Names for Jonathan
Looking for a sibling name for Jonathan? Here are some popular options:
Andrew
Benjamin
Bette
Cecilia
Christopher
Daniel
David
Elizabeth
Emily
Emma
Hannah
Isabella
Jessica
Joseph
Madison
Michael
Natalie
Nicholas
Rachel
Samantha
Sarah
Sophia
Walter
William
Famous People Named Jonathan
Many notable Jonathans embody the strength and perseverance associated with this name, including the TV show Queer Eye grooming expert and activist Jonathan Van Ness, professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic Jonathan Judah Isaac, and Sir Jonathan Paul Ive, who was the former chief design officer at Apple.
Famous Jonathans
Jonathan Banks, American actor known for his roles in Airplane!, Beverly Hills Cop, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul.
Jonathan Franzen, American novelist and essayist known for the critically acclaimed novel The Corrections.
Jonathan H. Smith, better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, songwriter, DJ, and record producer who won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Irish actor, model, and musician known for his role in the TV miniseries Elvis and historical drama The Tudors.
Jonathan Swift, Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and poet known for works such as Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal.
Robert Jonathan Demme, acclaimed American film director, producer, and screenwriter known for winning the Academy Award for Best Director for The Silence of the Lambs.
Fictional Jonathans:
Jonathan Archer, Captain on the TV series Star Trek: Enterprise
Jonathan Bower, a character on the '80s sitcom Who's the Boss?
Jonathan Harker, a main protagonist in the horror novel Dracula
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the title character in Richard Bach’s novella
Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, a character in the 1980–1988 comedy and crime television series, Magnum, P.I.
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.
