Find out how popular the first name Nathaneil has been for the last 41 years (from 1974 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nathaneil by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Nathaneil is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nathaneil.

The history of the first name Nathaneil

The name Nathaneil has its origins in the Hebrew language, derived from the combination of two words: "Natan" meaning "given" and "El" meaning "God." It can be translated as "gift of God" or "God has given." The name dates back to ancient times, with its earliest recorded use found in the Hebrew Bible.

One of the most notable biblical figures bearing this name is Nathanael, mentioned in the Gospel of John as one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel narrative, Nathanael is introduced as a man from Cana in Galilee, and upon his first encounter with Jesus, he is praised for being a man "in whom there is no guile."

During the Middle Ages, the name Nathaneil gained popularity in various European countries, particularly in England and France. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Nathaneil Bacon (1642-1676), a wealthy planter and leader of Bacon's Rebellion in colonial Virginia.

In later centuries, the name continued to be used, though with varying spellings such as Nathaniel, Nathan, and Nathanael. Notable figures include Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), the renowned American novelist best known for his works "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables."

Another prominent individual was Nathaniel Woodard (1811-1891), an Anglican priest and educator who founded several schools in England, including the Woodard Schools. In the field of science, Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838) made significant contributions as an American mathematician, navigator, and astronomer.

The name Nathaneil has also been borne by several notable individuals in more recent history, such as Nathaniel Niles (1741-1828), a member of the Continental Congress and a judge in Vermont, and Nathaniel Fick (born 1976), a former United States Marine Corps officer and author.

Throughout its history, the name Nathaneil has maintained its connection to its Hebrew roots, conveying a sense of divine gift or blessing. While its popularity has fluctuated over time, it has remained a prominent name 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 Nathaneil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!