Holding steady, #632 for boys today.
Popularity of Nathanael since 1915
Babies named Nathanael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 50 |
| 1940s | 63 |
| 1950s | 78 |
| 1960s | 174 |
| 1970s | 1,491 |
| 1980s | 3,514 |
| 1990s | 4,606 |
| 2000s | 5,712 |
| 2010s | 4,292 |
| 2020s | 2,205 |
Meaning & origin
Nathanael carries a strong biblical heritage as a variant of Nathaniel, one of the twelve apostles. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1915, but its most notable period of growth came in the late 20th century, peaking in 1998. Since then, its usage has remained relatively stable, reflecting a sustained if modest popularity. In recent years, its highest concentration among U.S. states has been in South Dakota, Nevada, and Georgia, indicating a broad geographic distribution. Nathanael offers a slightly less common alternative to the more frequent Nathaniel, appealing to parents seeking a traditional name with a distinctive spelling.
Nathanael is a variant of Nathaniel, derived from the Hebrew name נְתַנְאֵל (Netan'el), meaning 'God has given.' The name appears in the New Testament as one of the twelve apostles, often identified with Bartholomew. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation and saw increased popularity in the United States during the late 20th century.
Where Nathanael 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.
“Nathanael” around the world
Where Nathanael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
390
babies in 2024
Quebec
24
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nat, Nate, Nathan, Thane
Sibling names for Nathanael
Names that share Nathanael's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Nathanael
Names whose popularity has moved with Nathanael's over the last 50 years.
