Holding steady.
Popularity of Jonatha since 1944
Babies named Jonatha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 24 | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 13 |
| 1970s | 0 | 53 |
| 1980s | 0 | 220 |
| 1990s | 0 | 25 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jonatha is a rare modern variant of the classic Jonathan, first recorded in 1962. It peaked in 1986 with only a handful of births, and its trajectory has been stable since. Despite never ranking, it has a small but persistent presence. The name echoes Jonathan's biblical heritage while offering a slightly different sound. It has not been associated with any particular state or region in the U.S. data.
Jonatha is a modern variant or respelling of Jonathan, which derives from the Hebrew Yonatan, meaning 'Yahweh has given.' While Jonathan has ancient biblical roots, Jonatha emerged in the mid-20th century as a creative spelling. It has seen sporadic use, particularly in the United States, and remains a rare choice.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jon, Nath
Sibling names for Jonatha
Names that share Jonatha's style, for a brother or sister.
