What Does the Name Nathan Mean?
Nathan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “he gave / gift.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nathan |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | he gave / gift |
| Variants | Nathaniel, Natan, Nathanael, Nate |
| Popularity | A consistent US Top 100 boys' name for several decades. |
The meaning and origin of Nathan
The name Nathan means “he gave / gift” and has Hebrew origins. Nathan derives from the Hebrew Natan, meaning "he gave." In the Hebrew Bible, Nathan was a prophet who advised King David; the name has remained steadily popular in English-speaking countries.
Variants and related names
Nathan is related to several other names you may recognize: Nathaniel, Natan, Nathanael, Nate. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nathan?
A consistent US Top 100 boys' name for several decades.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nathan mean?+
The name Nathan means “he gave / gift” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Nathan?+
Nathan originates from Hebrew.
Is Nathan a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nathan has trended in the US over time.
Nathan by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press