Declining since 2005, #63 for boys today.
Popularity of Nathan since 1880
Babies named Nathan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,106 |
| 1890s | 1,180 |
| 1900s | 1,616 |
| 1910s | 7,132 |
| 1920s | 6,715 |
| 1930s | 4,699 |
| 1940s | 5,577 |
| 1950s | 10,126 |
| 1960s | 15,524 |
| 1970s | 65,857 |
| 1980s | 105,987 |
| 1990s | 107,332 |
| 2000s | 134,857 |
| 2010s | 88,034 |
| 2020s | 31,755 |
Meaning & origin
Nathan is a longstanding Hebrew name that has maintained a strong presence in the United States for well over a century, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. As of 2025, it holds a rank of 63rd nationally, given to roughly 1 in every 343 baby boys. The name reached its peak popularity in 2004, marking its highest usage before entering a gradual decline. Since 2005, Nathan has been on a falling trajectory, yet it remains a familiar choice across the country, with top usage noted in states such as Delaware, Wyoming, and Maryland. Despite the downward trend, its enduring biblical roots and approachable sound help it retain broad appeal.
Nathan originates from the Hebrew name Natan (נָתָן), meaning 'he gave.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a prophet in the court of King David and as a son of David. The name was adopted by English speakers after the Protestant Reformation, gaining steady use among Puritans and later spreading more broadly. It has remained consistently popular across the Anglophone world, enjoying particular favor in the United States since the late 20th century.
Where Nathan 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.
“Nathan” around the world
Where Nathan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#29
in 2024
Ireland
#71
in 2025
New Zealand
#91
in 2025
Quebec
#17
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nate, Nat
Sibling names for Nathan
Names that share Nathan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hannah, Sarah, Leah, Abigail, Rebecca, Allison, Alyssa, Carissa, Erica, Gabrielle, Krista, Kristin, Marissa, Natalie, Rachael, Adriane, Alyse, Annalee, Arleth, Bethanie, Elyse, Ericka, Gillian, Juliann, Julianne, Kiersten, Lizbeth, Meredith, Meryl, Sonia, Tabatha, Venessa, Aaryn, Abigael, Ambria, Annaleigh, Annalyn, Arrianna, Charissa, Cinthya, Corissa, Davida, Delana, Dyanna, Elayne, Elicia, Janelly, Jenica, Jesseca, Katrena, Leeanna, Lorissa, Marrissa, Melissia, Meridith, Micheala, Myriam, Naudia, Rebeccah, Rebekka, Roselynn, Rutha, Samatha, Abegail, Abigal, Adriann, Aleasha, Allysen, Analyn, Andrena, Angell, Arieana, Arilyn, Bethani, Betzabeth, Caralyn, Crystel, Dannica, Danyella, Deberah, Denelle, Elanie, Elishia, Ellissa, Elyce, Elycia, Ericca, Gabryelle, Gaelle, Jackalyn, Janaye, Jennalyn, Jesselyn, Jocelynne, Karianne, Kathya, Katrinia, Kristena, Laurissa, Leandrea, Leeana, Letricia, Lorien, Melessa, Michaelyn, Natallie, Natally, Natalyn, Nathania, Tamitha, Terisa, Terressa, Yanessa, Abbiegail, Adonica, Aryssa, Bathsheba, Becka, Bethanee, Bethanny, Betheny, Chariti, Christalyn, Dannae, Denna, Ebelin, Errica, Ilyse, Janesa, Jannessa, Jenicka, Jenin, Jillianne, Judieth, Juleah, Juliauna, Karelyn, Katianna, Katriana, Kazandra, Kitrina, Krystiana, Mareena, Melane, Michaelah, Mozel, Nadalie, Natalea, Nattalie, Nyomie, Ruthanna, Sinthia, Smantha, Subrena, Tabita, Taressa, Terissa, Abigial, Daneli, Danicka, Natina, Sarahmarie, Achsah, Adoniah, Amantha, Annalynne, Becci, Bekah, Charlina, Christyanna, Danniela, Denessa, Haly, Jenese, Jessly, Jolyssa, Joselynne, Judithe, Julanne, Jullisa, Kayleeann, Kristiann, Matalie, Melainie, Nairoby, Natara, Naylin, Rahcel, Rebecah, Samanthan, Sarahanne, Serenah, Tabathia, Tabithia, Tamantha, Tamelia, Tephanie
Brothers: Benjamin, Samuel, Ethan, Daniel, Caleb, Aaron, Adam, Damien, Jacob, Jared, Jarrett, Joel, Jonathan, Luke, Alexzander, Gabrial, Jaren, Jeramy, Jerod, Jonathon, Jullian, Kenton, Mitch, Mitchel, Samual, Zakary, Abiel, Benaiah, Benjaman, Dathan, Eligah, Izaac, Jarron, Jathan, Jeramie, Jered, Jeremey, Jerrad, Jonathen, Josias, Sammuel, Timmothy, Yohan, Yonathan, Andrick, Benjamyn, Christion, Chrystian, Derell, Elnathan, Hurshel, Joab, Jotham, Keithen, Krystopher, Marck, Mattew, Meshach, Naythan, Neithan, Nicholes, Reubin, Terren, Timithy, Zacharey, Zachry, Absalom, Atthew, Benjimen, Benjimin, Christyan, Cristan, Ephrem, Gabreal, Jaremy, Jerimie, Johanan, Johnaton, Jonatha, Jorel, Matthan, Mitchael, Sameul, Samuell, Samul, Shlome, Simuel, Zaccary, Zachrey, Benjerman, Danuel, Derec, Eliazer, Greogry, Jandiel, Jathen, Johanthan, Johathon, Jonathin, Jonaven, Timoth
Names like Nathan
Names whose popularity has moved with Nathan's over the last 50 years.
