The given name Dathan is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Biblical Hebrew name "Datan". It is believed to have emerged around the 13th century BCE during the time of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

The name Dathan is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Numbers. According to the biblical account, Dathan was one of the leaders who rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Along with his accomplice Abiram, Dathan challenged Moses' authority and was eventually swallowed up by the earth as punishment.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dathan can be found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is spelled as "Datan" (דָּתָן) in the original Hebrew text. The name's meaning is not entirely clear, but it has been suggested to derive from the Hebrew root word "dun" or "din", which means "to judge" or "to contend".

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Dathan. One of the earliest was Dathan of Gaza, a 4th-century BCE philosopher and grammarian who lived during the time of Alexander the Great. Another notable figure was Dathan, a 1st-century Jewish scholar and Talmudist who lived in ancient Judea.

In more recent times, Dathan was the name of a Christian martyr from Samaria who was executed in the 4th century CE for refusing to renounce his faith. There was also Dathan, a 6th-century bishop of Milan, who served from 552 to 572 CE.

Additionally, the name Dathan was borne by Dathan Shultise, an American Revolutionary War soldier who fought in the Battle of Oriskany in 1777. Shultise was born in 1737 and died in 1825.

It is important to note that while the name Dathan has historical and biblical roots, its usage has been relatively uncommon compared to other names, especially in modern times.