All about the name

Jonatham

Male

« Jonathan is a Hebrew name meaning 'God has given,' derived from 'dove' and 'gift.' It first appeared in the Bible as the name of King Saul's son. »

#26261 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God has given." It is derived from the Hebrew elements Yonah, which means "dove," and Tact, meaning "gift" or "grace." Thus, Jonathan can be interpreted as "given by God" or "gift of God." The name Jonathan first appears in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Samuel. Jonathan was the son of King Saul and a close friend of David, who later became king. Despite their families' enmity, Jonathan recognized David's worth and saved his life on several occasions. Jonathan gained prominence as a name in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly after it was used by characters in works by authors such as Sir Walter Scott ("Ivanhoe") and Charlotte Brontë ("Jane Eyre"). Today, Jonathan is still considered a classic and elegant name, with its popularity remaining relatively steady over time. Variations of the name include Jonah, Jonas, Jonathon, Jon, and Natha. Some famous individuals named Jonathan include American musician Jonathan Davis, British author Jonathan Swift, and Canadian ice hockey player Jonathan Toews. However, regardless of its notable bearers or biblical roots, the name Jonathan stands on its own as a timeless and meaningful moniker with a rich history behind it.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Jonatham since 1880

Total births
26
Total since 1880
Peak year
1982
8 births
in 1987
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years