The name Nathanael has its origins in the Hebrew language. It is a biblical name derived from the Hebrew words "נתן" (Natan) meaning "given" and "אל" (El) meaning "God", forming the combined meaning of "gift of God".

Nathanael is the name used in some translations of the Bible for one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, who is also referred to as Bartholomew in other translations. He is first mentioned in the Gospel of John, where Jesus recognizes him as "an Israelite in whom there is no deceit".

The earliest recorded use of the name Nathanael dates back to ancient biblical times, appearing in the New Testament of the Bible. Apart from the apostle Nathanael, one of the first notable individuals with this name was Nathanael Durand, a French Protestant theologian and author born in 1590.

In the 17th century, Nathanael Carpenter (1589-1628) was an English writer and philosopher. Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) was a major general in the American Revolutionary War, known for his successful command in the Southern campaigns.

Nathanael West (1903-1940) was an American author and satirist, best known for his novel "The Day of the Locust". Nathanael Herreshoff (1848-1938) was a renowned American naval architect and engineer, known for his innovative yacht designs.

Nathanael Hawthorne (1804-1864) was a famous American novelist and short story writer, author of "The Scarlet Letter" and other notable works. His name was originally spelled Nathaniel, but he added the "a" to make it more distinct.

While the name Nathanael has biblical origins and historical references, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, with different spellings and variations, such as Nathaniel, Nathanial, Nathanael, or Nathanël.