Nathanael
Nathanael is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Given by God.
Origin and history
Nathanael is a classic male given name derived from the Hebrew name Netan'el. Historically favored in biblical contexts, it has maintained a steady presence in the United States over the decades. It serves as a traditional alternative to the more common spelling Nathaniel.
Popularity in the United States
22,227 babies in the United States have been named Nathanael since 1880. It ranks #788 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #686.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.3 %)
- TX (9.5 %)
- FL (6 %)
- NY (5.8 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 19 |
| 1920-1930 | 23 |
| 1930-1940 | 50 |
| 1940-1950 | 63 |
| 1950-1960 | 78 |
| 1960-1970 | 174 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,491 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,514 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,606 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,712 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,292 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,205 |
Famous people named Nathanael
- Nathanael Greene: Military officer, General
Nicknames
Nate, Naty, Than
Fun facts
- The name comes from the Hebrew Netan'el, combining elements meaning 'he gave' and 'God'.
- While Nathaniel is the more dominant spelling in the United States, Nathanael closely mirrors the traditional Greek and Latin biblical transliterations.