Find out how popular the first name Jonathan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jonathan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jonathan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Jonathan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,066 male babies and 6 female babies born with the name Jonathan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby girls were named Jonathan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Jonathan

The name Jonathan is derived from the Hebrew name Yonatan, which means "Yahweh has given" or "gift of God". It is a combination of the Hebrew words "Yahweh" (the name of God) and "natan" (to give). The name has its origins in the biblical story of Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a close friend of David, as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible.

In the Book of Samuel, Jonathan is depicted as a brave warrior and a loyal friend who forms a deep bond with David, even protecting him from his own father's wrath. This biblical account of Jonathan's friendship with David has made the name a popular choice among Christians and Jews throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jonathan can be found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Jewish religious manuscripts dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The name is also mentioned in other ancient texts, such as the Septuagint, the earliest known Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jonathan. One of the most famous is Jonathan Swift, the Anglo-Irish satirist and author, best known for his satirical masterpiece "Gulliver's Travels". He lived from 1667 to 1745 and was a prominent figure in the literary world of his time.

Another notable Jonathan is Jonathan Edwards, the American Congregational minister and theologian who played a significant role in the Great Awakening religious revival of the 18th century. He was born in 1703 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers and preachers in American history.

In the world of politics, Jonathan Trumbull, an American merchant and statesman, served as the Governor of Connecticut from 1769 to 1784. He was a significant figure in the American Revolutionary War and played a crucial role in supporting the Continental Army.

In the realm of science, Jonathan Ive, the British industrial designer, is widely known for his contribution to the design of Apple's products, including the iMac, iPod, and iPhone. He was born in 1967 and served as the Chief Design Officer at Apple until 2019.

Jonathan Franzen, the American novelist and essayist, is another notable figure who has borne the name. He was born in 1959 and is best known for his critically acclaimed novels, such as "The Corrections" and "Freedom", which explore themes of family dynamics and modern life.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Jonathan, a name that has its roots in the biblical tradition and has been consistently popular across various cultures and eras.

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 Jonathan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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