Ethan

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-thun /ˈiː.θən/High

Meaning: Strong; firm; enduring; long-lived; constantHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Hebrew for 'strong' and 'enduring,' Ethan is a biblical name that rose to the top of U.S. charts in the 2000s and has remained a consistent top-five boys' name.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningStrong; firm; enduring; long-lived; constant

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 413,193

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ethan comes from the Hebrew Eitan (אֵיתָן), meaning 'strong,' 'firm,' or 'enduring.' It appears briefly in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a wise man. The name was used in Puritan communities in colonial America and by the Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen.

Ethan Allen (1738–1789), the American Revolutionary War soldier and Vermont patriot, kept the name in cultural consciousness. Ethan Frome, the 1911 novella by Edith Wharton, gave it literary credibility. The name rose dramatically in the 1990s and reached the U.S. top five, where it has remained with remarkable consistency.

Did you know? Ethan is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as Ethan the Ezrahite, a notably wise man compared favorably to King Solomon in 1 Kings 4:31. Psalm 89 is attributed to him. His name, meaning 'enduring,' proved prophetically apt for the name's longevity.

Variations

EitanEtan

Nicknames

Eth

Famous Bearers

★Ethan Allen (1738–1789)
American Revolutionary War soldier and leader of the Green Mountain Boys.
★Ethan Hawke (1970–)
American actor and filmmaker, Academy Award-nominated for Training Day.

If you like Ethan…

Liam— fellow top-five powerhouse with the same crisp appeal

Noah— shares the short biblical Hebrew classic dominance

Lucas— equally popular two-syllable classic boys' name

Caleb— Hebrew biblical name with the same strong, clean feel

Elijah— shares the Old Testament heritage and sustained top-rank position

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ethan mean?

Ethan comes from the Hebrew Eitan, meaning 'strong,' 'firm,' and 'enduring,' borne by a wise man in the Hebrew Bible.

How do you pronounce Ethan?

Ethan is said EE-thun /ˈiː.θən/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Ethan a boy or girl name?

Ethan is used almost exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Ethan?

Ethan has ranked in the U.S. top five boys' names for most of the period from 2002 to the present, making it one of the most popular boys' names of its generation.