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Yonathan

♂ Boy

Pronounced yoh-NAH-than /joʊˈnɑː.θən/High

Meaning: Hebrew form of Jonathan, from Yehonatan, composed of YHWH (God) and natan (has given), meaning God has given or God's giftHigh

In 30 seconds: Yonathan is the authentic Hebrew form of Jonathan, meaning God has given or gift of Yahweh. A biblical name borne by King Saul's son and David's closest friend, it is widely used in Israel and among traditional Jewish communities.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHebrew form of Jonathan, from Yehonatan, composed of YHWH (God) and natan (has given), meaning God has given or God's gift

U.S. rank (2024)#3092 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births40 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,431

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Yonathan is the original Hebrew form of Jonathan, from Yehonatan (יְהוֹנָתָן), a compound of YHWH (the divine name) and natan (to give), meaning God has given or Yahweh has given. The most famous biblical bearer is Jonathan, son of King Saul, who became the devoted friend and ally of the young David despite the rivalry between their fathers. His loyalty and courage are celebrated throughout 1 Samuel.

Yonathan has been used continuously in Jewish communities for over two millennia. In modern Israel it is a common male name, often spelled Yonatan or Jonathan. Notable Israeli bearers include Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu (1946–1976), elder brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the only Israeli military fatality in the Entebbe hostage rescue operation, for whom Israel named the operation. The name projects faithfulness, spiritual depth, and military valor.

Did you know? The friendship of Jonathan and David — Yonathan and David — in the Hebrew Bible is so celebrated that the phrase 'the love of Jonathan' became a byword for loyal friendship, described as surpassing the love of women (2 Samuel 1:26).

Overall data confidence 97%

Brown, Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon — Yehonatan etymologyHebrew Bible — 1 Samuel 18–23 — Jonathan/Yonathan biblical narrative

Variations

JonathanYonatanJonatan

Nicknames

YoniJonJonny

Famous Bearers

★Yonatan Netanyahu (1946–1976)
Israeli military officer and elder brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who commanded and was the only Israeli soldier killed during the 1976 Entebbe raid, later renamed Operation Yonatan in his honor.

If you like Yonathan…

Jonathan— the English form of the same Hebrew name

Nathaniel— shares the natan (given) root and same biblical origin tradition

Natan— the Hebrew root name meaning given, directly related

Avi— short Hebrew name of same Israeli naming tradition and biblical heritage

Explore names like Yonathan

By themehebrew classic biblical three-syllable jewish israeli friendship

By meaningGod / Divine Gift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yonathan mean?

Yonathan means God has given or gift of Yahweh, from Hebrew Yehonatan combining the divine name YHWH and natan (to give).

How do you pronounce Yonathan?

Yonathan is pronounced yoh-NAH-than, with three syllables and stress on the middle syllable.

Is Yonathan a boy or girl name?

Yonathan is a boys name.

How popular is Yonathan?

Yonathan is common in Israel and used in Jewish communities worldwide, and appears occasionally in Latin American countries as a Jonathan variant.