Declining since 2001, #140 for boys today.
Popularity of Nathaniel since 1880
Babies named Nathaniel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 551 |
| 1890s | 684 |
| 1900s | 1,143 |
| 1910s | 4,795 |
| 1920s | 7,794 |
| 1930s | 7,411 |
| 1940s | 9,489 |
| 1950s | 12,389 |
| 1960s | 10,191 |
| 1970s | 19,185 |
| 1980s | 38,652 |
| 1990s | 52,577 |
| 2000s | 64,264 |
| 2010s | 41,890 |
| 2020s | 16,088 |
Meaning & origin
Nathaniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'gift of God'. It was modestly popular throughout the 20th century but saw a significant surge in the 1990s and early 2000s. Its peak year was 2002, after which its usage began a gradual decline. As of 2025, it holds the rank of 140, given to about 1 in every 666 baby boys. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2001, yet it remains a well-known and widely recognized choice. It is particularly favored in certain states, such as the District of Columbia, North Dakota, and Montana, where its usage is proportionally higher. First recorded in the U.S. Social Security data in 1880, Nathaniel has a long history of use in English-speaking countries, often associated with the biblical apostle. Its enduring appeal lies in its dignified sound and strong religious heritage.
Derived from the Hebrew name Netan'el (נְתַנְאֵל), meaning 'God has given' or 'gift of God'. It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Chronicles, Ezra) as the name of several minor figures. In the New Testament, Nathaniel (sometimes identified with Bartholomew) is one of the apostles, mentioned in the Gospel of John as a man 'in whom there is no deceit'. The name was adopted by English Puritans in the 16th century and has been in steady use since, experiencing a notable resurgence in the late 20th century and peaking around the year 2000.
Where Nathaniel 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.
“Nathaniel” around the world
Where Nathaniel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
21
babies in 2025
New Zealand
35
babies in 2025
Quebec
34
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nat, Nate, Nathan, Niel
Sibling names for Nathaniel
Names that share Nathaniel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Abigail, Hannah, Miriam, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Adrienne, Alexandria, Angeline, Audriana, Christianna, Corrina, Evangeline, Joycelyn, Nicolette, Nicolle, Rosalyn, Susannah, Suzanna, Teressa, Analiese, Emmanuella, Jacquelene, Jaquelyn, Jeanelle, Joceline, Julieanne, Kristiana, Lillianne, Maribelle, Yocheved, Adrielle, Andrianna, Anelise, Angelise, Annaclaire, Annaleise, Audreanna, Audreyanna, Carolena, Celinda, Christabel, Cristel, Dorethea, Emanuelle, Glorianna, Jacqualyn, Janeane, Jenavieve, Julieana, Latitia, Laurena, Lazaria, Letecia, Lizbet, Lizmarie, Lizzeth, Loralie, Meridian, Michalene, Nathalee, Priscella, Samanthia, Tabbatha, Victorya, Yennifer, Abbegail, Alexianna, Alexina, Alexzandrea, Alysandra, Anasophia, Annalis, Annalissa, Annastacia, Arabell, Audreyana, Christabella, Christabelle, Christell, Cynethia, Demiana, Emmalynne, Evangela, Evangelene, Jacquelynne, Jaeliana, Jeneva, Jestina, Juliannah, Karolyne, Katherina, Katiria, Ketsia, Kristelle, Laurabelle, Lauriel, Magdalynn, Magdelena, Magdelyn, Raguel, Rosselyn, Samuella, Saraphina, Stephana, Maryori, Adriyana, Alisabeth, Alixandrea, Amelianna, Angeliah, Ariannie, Dorianna, Gavrielle, Gerardine, Jaquelinne, Jennavie, Jewelianna, Jezabelle, Josabeth, Julianah, Kataryna, Marabeth, Robecca, Roshanna, Sarabella, Sarabelle, Tabbetha, Tiamarie, Victoriah
Brothers: Benjamin, Samuel, Ezekiel, Josiah, Gabriel, Alexander, Christian, Emmanuel, Maxwell, Zachary, Cristopher, Geremy, Sabastian, Zachariah, Zechariah, Abriel, Bartholomew, Benjamine, Christofer, Christoper, Gamaliel, Greggory, Ishmael, Jeriah, Rapheal, Zacharia, Adonijah, Alekzander, Aniel, Christien, Christophor, Chrystopher, Domanic, Doniel, Emanual, Ethaniel, Janathan, Jhonatan, Joniel, Jonothan, Josaiah, Magdiel, Ralphael, Sebastain, Sebastion, Zacheriah, Alecsander, Alixander, Alyxander, Andriel, Cebastian, Christepher, Daviel, Eliasar, Ezechiel, Imanuel, Janiel, Joenathan, Juniel, Mathius, Sabastion, Zacariah, Daemian, Jathniel, Lathaniel, Edriel, Jemuel, Joanthony, Joshual, Krystofer, Lexander, Sebasthian, Thaddeaus
Names like Nathaniel
Names whose popularity has moved with Nathaniel's over the last 50 years.
