Declining since 2006, #2,798 for boys today.
Popularity of Yonatan since 1974
Babies named Yonatan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 186 |
| 1990s | 467 |
| 2000s | 868 |
| 2010s | 668 |
| 2020s | 310 |
Meaning & origin
Yonatan is a direct Hebrew spelling of the biblical name Jonathan, meaning 'Yahweh has given.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1974 and reached its peak rank of 2,798 in 2005, with approximately 1 in 38,000 boys receiving the name that year. Since 2006, its popularity has been declining, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional biblical names in favor of more modern coinages. The name is most common in states with large Jewish populations: New York, Florida, and California. Yonatan offers a culturally specific variant for families seeking a name with strong Hebrew roots, distinct from the anglicized Jonathan. Its nickname Yoni is widely recognized, and the name remains a staple among Israeli and Jewish communities in the diaspora.
Yonatan is a Hebrew name derived from Yehonatan (יְהוֹנָתָן), meaning 'Yahweh has given.' In the Bible, Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and a close friend of David. The name has been used among Jewish communities for centuries and remains popular in Israel and among Hebrew-speaking populations. The spelling Yonatan reflects a direct transliteration from the Hebrew, distinguishing it from the more common English form Jonathan.
Where Yonatan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yoni, Yon
Sibling names for Yonatan
Names that share Yonatan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Noa, Maya, Talia, Shira, Avigail, Yaquelin, Avital, Liat, Maayan, Nitza, Sivan, Maytal, Naama, Naava, Shir, Shirel, Yarden, Hadas, Galit, Meital, Tehillah
Brothers: Daniel, Ariel, Eitan, Noam, Michael, Alon, Ilan, Ronen, Yair, Arye, Asaf, Avner, Doron, Elazar, Eran, Idan, Matan, Omri, Shimshon, Tomer, Yahel, Yonas, Yuval, Avishai, Elad, Erez, Harel, Ilai, Ilay, Itamar, Netanel, Osher, Refoel, Yaniv, Ziv, Itay, Gilad, Ido, Liron, Yedidya, Yonael, Yoniel, Zeev
