Rising since 1985, #1,227 for boys today.
Popularity of Natanael since 1962
Babies named Natanael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 29 |
| 1980s | 138 |
| 1990s | 364 |
| 2000s | 576 |
| 2010s | 579 |
| 2020s | 866 |
Meaning & origin
Natanael is a Spanish and Scandinavian variant of the biblical name Nathaniel, meaning "God has given." First recorded in the U.S. in 1962, it has been on a rising trajectory since 1985, peaking at rank 1227 in 2020 with a rate of 1 in 10,415 boys. The name is especially popular in Washington, California, and Virginia. While still uncommon nationwide, its steady climb over the past four decades reflects a broader trend of parents choosing less common, multicultural biblical names. The spelling Natanael offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Nathaniel.
Natanael is a Spanish and Scandinavian form of the Hebrew name Nathanel, from the Hebrew elements "nathan" (gave) and "El" (God), meaning "God has given." In the New Testament, Nathanael is an apostle (traditionally identified with Bartholomew). The spelling Natanael is common in Spanish, Portuguese, and Nordic countries.
Where Natanael is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Natanael” around the world
Where Natanael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nate, Nati, Tana
Sibling names for Natanael
Names that share Natanael's style, for a brother or sister.
