The name Onan is of Hebrew origin and means "strength." It appears in the Bible as the second son of Judah, one of Jacob's twelve sons who are the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. According to the story in Genesis 38:4-10, Onan refused to fulfill his brother Er's obligation to provide offspring through his wife Tamar. As a result, God took his life.
Despite its biblical origins and meaning, the name Onan is not particularly popular today. It has not made it into the top lists of baby names in recent years. However, for those who are interested in biblical history or Hebrew culture, naming a child Onan could be seen as a unique way to honor that heritage.
Statistics on the name Onan show a varied trend over time in the United States. In the early 20th century, there were 7 babies named Onan born each year in both 1921 and 2006. The numbers then fluctuated slightly, with 5 births recorded in both 2011 and 2022. However, recent data from 2023 shows a notable increase, with 9 babies named Onan being born that year. Overall, since 1921, there have been a total of 33 babies named Onan born in the United States. This demonstrates a consistent yet evolving popularity for the name Onan over time.