Nathaniel
Nathaniel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God has given.
Origin and history
Nathaniel is a traditional masculine name derived from the Hebrew name Netan'el, meaning 'God has given'. It has maintained steady, long-term popularity in the United States, remaining a well-established classic choice across generations. Modern parents often appreciate its classic sound paired with approachable nicknames like Nate.
Popularity in the United States
287,103 babies in the United States have been named Nathaniel since 1880. It ranks #131 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #139.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.5 %)
- TX (7.4 %)
- NY (6 %)
- FL (5.1 %)
- OH (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 551 |
| 1890-1900 | 684 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,143 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,795 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,794 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,411 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,489 |
| 1950-1960 | 12,389 |
| 1960-1970 | 10,191 |
| 1970-1980 | 19,185 |
| 1980-1990 | 38,652 |
| 1990-2000 | 52,577 |
| 2000-2010 | 64,264 |
| 2010-2019 | 41,890 |
| 2020-2029 | 16,088 |
Famous people named Nathaniel
- Nathaniel Hawthorne: Author, Novelist
- Nathaniel Buzolic: Actor
Nicknames
Nate, Nat
Fun facts
- American author Nathaniel Hawthorne brought prominent literary recognition to the name in the 19th century.
- The name combines the Hebrew roots 'natan' (to give) and 'El' (God).