Jonathan Name Meaning: Pronunciation, Nicknames & History

What Does Jonathan Mean?

The name Jonathan is thought to be derived from the Hebrew name Yehonatan, which means “God has given.” ⁽¹⁾ It is a popular name in the Bible, borne by the son of Saul, who was one of the first Kings of Israel.

Jonathan was also the name of several other characters in the Bible, including a high priest and a prophet. In more modern times, the name Jonathan has been used as a given name by people of various faiths and cultures.

Due to its biblical ties, the name Jonathan is synonymous with loyalty and friendship for many Christians.

What Is the Origin of the Name Jonathan?

The name Jonathan is of Hebrew origin, and it means “God has given.” The Greek form of the name, Ioannēs, has the same meaning. In Latin, the name is Iohannes, which means “Yahweh is merciful.”

In the Bible, Jonathan was the son of King Saul and a close friend of David ⁽²⁾. He is best known for his loyalty to David, even when Saul tries to kill him.

How Popular Is the Name Jonathan?

According to the Social Security Administration, Jonathan was the 70th most popular name for baby boys born in the United States in 2020 ⁽³⁾.

The name has been consistently popular over the past few decades, ranking within the top 50 names for boys born in the country every year since the early 1990s.

In addition to its popularity among American parents, Jonathan is also a popular name in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Furthermore, besides being a popular given name, Jonathan is also a common surname in many countries.

How Do I Pronounce Jonathan?

The name Jonathan is typically pronounced “JAH-nuh-thuhn” in English. However, because it has roots in Hebrew, the name is pronounced differently in other languages.

In Hebrew, the name Jonathan is pronounced: “ye-ho-NA-tan.” In Spanish, the name Jonathan is pronounced: “HO-nah-than.” And in French, the name Jonathan is pronounced: “zhoh-na-tahn.”

Is Jonathan a Boy or Girl Name?

The name Jonathan is a popular boy name. It has been consistently popular for baby boys in the United States. It has been used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation.

In England, Jonathan was first used as a given name in the 16th century. It was possibly introduced to England by Protestants who emigrated to England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1.

Jonathan has become more popular as a unisex name in recent years. The female version of the name is usually spelled “Jonathanne” or “Jonathyn.”

Variations of Jonathan

There are many variations of the name Jonathan. Some common variations include:

• Giovannino (Italian)
• Ionatana (Hawaiian)
• Jhonatan (Spanish)
• Johannes (German)
• Johanthanne (English)
• Johnathan (English)
• Johnathon (English)
• Jona (Scandinavian)
• Jonatán (Icelandic)
• Jonathin (English)
• Jonathon (English)
• Yonaton (Hebrew)

Nicknames for Jonathan

There are many nicknames for the name Jonathan. Some common nicknames include:

• Jo
• Johnny
• Jon
• Jonah
• Jonny
• Jono
• Jonty
• Nathan
• Nate
• Natty
• Than

Similar Names to Jonathan

If you like the name Jonathan but are looking for a similar name, there are many other options. Some similar names include:

• Adam
• Caleb
• David
• Ethan
• Gabriel
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Joshua
• Luke
• Mark
• Matthew
• Nathaniel
• Noah
• Samuel
• Thomas
• William

Middle Names for Jonathan

There are several great names that would make suitable middle names for Jonathan. Below are just a few:

• Andrew
• Benjamin
• Christopher
• David
• Daniel
• Ezekiel
• George
• Isaiah
• Jacob
• Jesse
• Josiah
• Levi
• Luke
• Nathan
• Noah
• Paul
• Samuel
• Solomon
• Thomas
• Timothy

Choosing the perfect middle name for Jonathan (or any other name) is ultimately a matter of personal preference. However, these names are all excellent options that would complement the name Jonathan perfectly.

Sibling Names for Jonathan

If you are looking for a great name to pair with Jonathan for your twin boys or multiples, many other names will make an excellent choice. Some sibling names for Jonathan include:

• Aaron
• Abigail
• Anna
• Benjamin
• Bethany
• Caleb
• Daniel
• David
• Elizabeth
• Elliott
• Evelyn
• Gabriel
• Gabriella
• George
• Hannah
• Isaiah

Famous People Named Jonathan

Many well-known people have the name Jonathan, including:

• Jonathan Swift: Anglican cleric.
• Jonathan Antoine: English singer.
• Jonathan Edwards: American revivalist preacher.
• Jonathan Lipnicki: American actor.
• Jonathan Toews: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Jonathan Frakes: American actor and director.
• Jonathan Kellerman: American psychologist and author of bestselling crime fiction novels.
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas: American Actor.

Jonathan in Popular Culture

The name Jonathan has been used in many popular culture references. Some of these include:

• Jonathan Byers: Character from the Netflix original series “Stranger Things.”
• Jonathan “Jon” Arbuckle: Character from the comic strip “Garfield.”
• Jonathan Irons: Antagonist in the 2014 video game “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.”
• Jonathan “Jon” Snow: Character from the HBO series “Game of Thrones.”
• Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow: Character from the Batman comics and movies
• Jonathan Kent: Character from the Superman comics and movies.
• Jonathan “Jon” Heder: American actor, best known for his role in the movie “Napoleon Dynamite.”

Jonathan FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the name Jonathan.