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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jonathan

Jonathan

♀ Girl

Pronounced JON-uh-thun /ˈdʒɒn.ə.θən/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Yehonatan, 'the Lord has given' (Yah + natan, 'gave') — the loyal friend of David in the Bible. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we flag plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: A biblical Hebrew name: Jonathan means 'the Lord has given' (said 'JON-uh-thun'). Overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the lean plainly.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Yehonatan, 'the Lord has given' (Yah + natan, 'gave') — the loyal friend of David in the Bible. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we flag plainly.
U.S. rank (2023)#14199 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,570

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198419542023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, 'the Lord has given,' the loyal friend of David in the Bible. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; for a girl it is exceedingly rare, which we flag plainly (said 'JON-uh-thun').

For girls it is exceptionally rare in the U.S., against overwhelming boys' use. Rare, biblical, and strong.

Did you know? Jonathan is Hebrew for 'the Lord has given' — the loyal friend of David in the Bible — and is overwhelmingly a boy's name; it is used here for a girl, which we flag plainly (said 'JON-uh-thun').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Jonathan — Hebrew 'the Lord has given'; David's friend; strongly boy

Variations

JohnathanJonathonYehonatan

Nicknames

JonNathan

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jonathan…

Nathan— a like Hebrew 'gift' name
Jonah— a like biblical Jo- name
Jordan— a like unisex Hebrew name
Ethan— a like biblical name

Explore names like Jonathan

By themehebrewbiblicalcross-sexunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jonathan mean?

Jonathan is Hebrew for 'the Lord has given' — the loyal friend of David in the Bible.

How do you pronounce Jonathan?

It's said JON-uh-thun /ˈdʒɒn.ə.θən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jonathan a boy or girl name?

Jonathan is overwhelmingly a boy's name; it is used here for a girl, which we flag plainly.

How popular is Jonathan?

Jonathan is exceptionally rare for girls and very common for boys in the U.S.

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