Declining since 1990, #508 for boys today.
Popularity of Johnathan since 1881
Babies named Johnathan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 51 |
| 1920s | 93 |
| 1930s | 97 |
| 1940s | 215 |
| 1950s | 792 |
| 1960s | 2,432 |
| 1970s | 7,820 |
| 1980s | 21,908 |
| 1990s | 27,264 |
| 2000s | 21,920 |
| 2010s | 11,804 |
| 2020s | 3,855 |
Meaning & origin
Johnathan is a distinctive spelling of the classic name Jonathan, blending elements of John and Jonathan. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1881, but its popularity surged in the late 20th century, peaking at rank 122 in 1990. Since then, usage has steadily declined; in 2024 it ranked 508th, with roughly 1 in 2,876 newborn boys given the name. The spelling remains most common in states like Idaho, South Carolina, and Alabama. While it has lost favor over the past three decades, Johnathan still offers a familiar yet individualized alternative to the traditional Jonathan.
Johnathan is a spelling variant of Jonathan, derived from the Hebrew name Yonatan, meaning 'Yahweh has given.' The name Jonathan appears in the Old Testament as the loyal friend of King David. The spelling Johnathan, which merges John and Jonathan, became more common in the United States during the 20th century, especially in the 1970s through 1990s.
Where Johnathan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: John, Johnny, Nathan, Jon
Sibling names for Johnathan
Names that share Johnathan's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Johnathan
Names whose popularity has moved with Johnathan's over the last 50 years.
