Meaning, origin, history
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift from God." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yonaton, which is composed of the elements yona ("dove") and tedaki ("given"). The name Jonathan has been used for centuries, with its first notable appearance in the Old Testament of the Bible. There, Jonathan is the son of King Saul and the best friend of King David. Throughout history, several figures have borne this name, including Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer known for his satirical novel "Gulliver's Travels." In more recent times, Jonathan has been used as a given name in various cultures around the world.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Jonathon since 1880
Total births
65,380
Total since 1880
Peak year
1990
2,668 births
in 2023
134
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-27%
↘
vs previous 5 years