Declining since 2009, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Yonathan since 1983
Babies named Yonathan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 75 |
| 1990s | 261 |
| 2000s | 522 |
| 2010s | 422 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Yonathan is a Hebrew variant of Jonathan, carrying the meaning 'God has given'. In the United States, it was first recorded in 1983 and reached its peak popularity in 2010. Since 2009, its usage has been declining. As of 2025, it ranks 4,249th, with about 1 in 71,170 newborns receiving the name. California is the top state for Yonathan, reflecting its use among families with Hispanic and Jewish heritage. The name remains a distinctive choice that honors biblical tradition.
Yonathan is a Hebrew name derived from the Hebrew elements 'Yah' (referring to God) and 'natan' (to give), translating to 'God has given'. It is a variant of Jonathan, which appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of the son of King Saul and close friend of David. The name has been used in Jewish, Christian, and English-speaking contexts for centuries, with Yonathan being a direct transliteration from the Hebrew original.
Where Yonathan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yonathan” around the world
Where Yonathan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yoni, Jon, Jonny
Sibling names for Yonathan
Names that share Yonathan's style, for a brother or sister.
