Find out how popular the first name Johathan has been for the last 39 years (from 1974 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Johathan by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Johathan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Johathan.

The history of the first name Johathan

The name Johathan is derived from the Hebrew name Yonatan, which means "Yahweh has given" or "the gift of God." It is a biblical name that first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the books of Samuel and Chronicles. The name's origins can be traced back to ancient Israel around the 11th century BCE.

Johathan was the name of the son of King Saul and a close friend of David, who later became the second king of Israel. The story of their friendship and Johathan's loyalty to David is a significant part of the biblical narrative. Johathan's character is portrayed as a brave warrior and a man of honor and integrity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Johathan outside of the Bible is in the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to the 3rd century BCE. These ancient Jewish manuscripts contain several references to individuals named Johathan, suggesting that the name was in use among the Jewish community at that time.

In the Middle Ages, the name Johathan gained popularity across Europe, particularly in England and France. It was often spelled as "Jonathan" or variations like "Jonathon" and "Jonatan." During this period, several notable figures bore the name, including Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), the Irish satirist and author of "Gulliver's Travels."

Another famous Johathan in history was Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), a prominent American philosopher, theologian, and revivalist preacher during the Great Awakening in the 18th century. His sermons and writings had a significant impact on the religious landscape of colonial America.

In the 19th century, Jonathan Trumbull (1710-1785) served as the Governor of Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War and was a close friend and adviser to George Washington. Johathan Ames (1805-1887) was an American manufacturer and philanthropist who co-founded the Ames Manufacturing Company, a successful tool and shovel company.

The 20th century saw the rise of Johathan Winters (1925-2013), an American comedian, actor, and artist known for his improvisational skills and versatile character roles. Johathan Demme (1944-2017) was an acclaimed American filmmaker and director, best known for films like "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Johathan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Johathan, please contact us.

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