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Home Jonathan
Boy

Jonathan

JON-ah-than

The name Jonathan derives from the Hebrew Yehonatan, contracted to Yonatan, meaning “YHWH has given”. It is composed of the divine element Yeho- (a form of the Tetragrammaton) and the verbal root natan (“to give”).

US Rank 2024
No. 83
Births
4,018
Peak Year
1988

The structure makes it a theological cousin of names such as Nathaniel (“gift of God”) and Matthew (“gift of YHWH”), all formed on the same Semitic verb of giving.

The most celebrated bearer is the biblical Jonathan, eldest son of King Saul and devoted friend of the future King David, whose covenant of loyalty is recounted in 1 Samuel 18-20.

What the name Jonathan means

Jonathan died with his father at the battle of Mount Gilboa around 1010 BCE, and David”s lament over him in 2 Samuel 1 contains some of the oldest preserved Hebrew poetry.

In medieval Christianity the name was rare, but it was embraced by English Puritans in the seventeenth century and became a staple of New England nomenclature.

Literary stature comes from Jonathan Swift”s Gulliver”s Travels (1726) and from the children”s classic Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach (1970), which sold over a million copies in its first year.

Jonathan Harker is the protagonist of Bram Stoker”s Dracula (1897).

The character of Jonathan Strange in Susanna Clarke”s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2004) refreshed the name for the fantasy generation. Brother Jonathan was, before Uncle Sam, the personification of the United States.

According to US Social Security Administration records, Jonathan ranked outside the top 100 throughout the nineteenth century but climbed dramatically after 1960, reaching its peak at rank 15 in 1988.

It remained in the top 50 for two decades and held position 105 in 2023. Adoption is broad and ecumenical, with particular strength in Hispanic communities, where it functions as a cross-language choice.

Contemporary bearers include novelist Jonathan Franzen, late-night host Jonathan Ross, actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Olympic skier Jonathan Otto Edwards.

US popularity over time

Numerology and symbolism

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

J(1) + O(6) + N(5) + A(1) + T(2) + H(8) + A(1) + N(5) = 29 = 11
Destiny number
11
Intuition
Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit
Soul urge
8
Achievement
Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires
Expression
3
Charisma
Sum of consonants - how others perceive you
Letters 8
Vowels / consonants 3 / 5
Birthstone Pearl
Lucky color Silver

Famous people named Jonathan

Jonathan Winters (b. 1925) Actor and performer (1925-2013)
Jonathan Winters (b. 1925) Actor and performer (1925-2013)
Jonathan Winters (b. 1925) Actor and performer (1925-2013)
Jonathan Majors (b. 1989) Jonathan Michael Majors (born September 7, 1989) is an American actor.
Jonathan Majors (b. 1989) Jonathan Michael Majors (born September 7, 1989) is an American actor.
Prime Minister Jonathan Motzfeldt (b. 1979) ; 1997-2002 Greenland
Jonathan Bailey (b. 1988) Jonathan Stuart Bailey (born 25 April 1988) is an English actor known for his dramatic, comedic, and musical roles on
Jonathan Bailey (b. 1988) Jonathan Stuart Bailey (born 25 April 1988) is an English actor known for his dramatic, comedic, and musical roles on
Jonathan Swift (b. 1667) Author and writer (1667-1745)

Jonathan - similar names

Hudson
From Old English “Hudd” + “son”: son of Hudde (a medieval pe...
Luca
From Latin “lux” meaning light, via Greek Loukas; Italian an...
Elias
From Hebrew “eliyyahu” meaning God is Yahweh; Greek and Lati...
Santiago
From Spanish “Santo Iago” meaning Saint James; contracted fo...
Matthew
From Hebrew “Mattityahu”, a compound of “mattan” (gift) + “Y...
Jackson
From Old English via John meaning God is gracious; Jackson m...
Maverick
From American English meaning independent or nonconformist; ...
Wyatt
From Old English “Wigheard”, meaning brave in war, from “wig...
Jacob
From Hebrew “Ya’aqov” meaning supplanter or one who grabs th...
Mason
From Old French “machun” meaning a worker in stone; an Engli...
Gabriel
From Hebrew “Gavri’el”, a compound of “gavar” (strong) + “El...
Carter
From Old French “cartier” meaning cart driver or transporter...

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Explore More Names Like Jonathan

Boy Names English Names Starting with J Popular Names
Researched by MyGall Research · Updated April 15, 2026
Boy English 3 syllables God has given

Ways to spell Jonathan

Variant Language
Johnathan English spelling variant
Jon English/Scandinavian short form
Yonatan Hebrew
Jonatan Spanish/Swedish/Hebrew

Where it ranks highest

WY No. 60 AK No. 63 MD No. 64 CA No. 65 FL No. 71 DE No. 74 TX No. 74 WA No. 74 SC No. 76 TN No. 76 GA No. 77 NC No. 78 NJ No. 79 AZ No. 79 MA No. 81 RI No. 82 VA No. 82 ND No. 84 AL No. 86 NV No. 87 CO No. 88 NM No. 88 NY No. 88 SD No. 89 DC No. 92 NH No. 94 CT No. 97 KS No. 98 IL No. 99 IN No. 99 HI No. 101 PA No. 102 OR No. 112 OH No. 114 MS No. 116 UT No. 121 AR No. 129 OK No. 130 MT No. 138 WI No. 138 KY No. 139 VT No. 141 ID No. 148 MN No. 149 MO No. 150 MI No. 154 IA No. 155 LA No. 157 NE No. 158 ME No. 162 WV No. 196

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Quick Stats

US Rank
No. 83
Births
4,018
Peak Year
1988

Related Origins

  • English

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By Origin

  • English 672
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  • Latin 232
  • Greek 191
  • Spanish 167
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  • French 145
  • Italian 89
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