Boy · 64th of 24,088
Nathaniel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
285,643
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2002
Peak Popularity Year
6,829
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nathaniel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Nathaniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'gift of God.' Its linguistic path traces from Netanel in Hebrew to Nathanael in Greek, and finally to Nathaniel in English. It is associated with traits of honesty and integrity due to its biblical background. The name has enjoyed popularity since the Middle Ages and remains well-regarded today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/nəˈθæn.jəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Nathaniel comes from the Hebrew name Netanel, which means 'gift of God.' It is composed of the elements 'natan,' meaning 'to give,' and 'el,' meaning 'God.'
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Netanel (Hebrew), Nathanael (Greek), Nathaniel (English)
Biblical Background
Nathaniel is mentioned in the New Testament as a disciple of Jesus, known for his honesty and integrity.
Historical Usage
The name Nathaniel gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly among Jewish communities, and became more widely used in Christian contexts during the Renaissance.
Variants & Derivatives
Nathan, Nate, Nat
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Nathaniel is viewed as a classic name that conveys sophistication and a strong character. It has a positive connotation and is often associated with intelligence and kindness.
Famous People
Nathaniel Hawthorne, American novelist, Nathaniel Bacon, colonial leader, Nathaniel Philbrick, American author
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,829 peak births in 2002
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 178th of 7545 | 12,126 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 187th of 6773 | 13,960 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 214th of 7552 | 22,144 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 159th of 10718 | 27,542 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 77th of 16616 | 69,066 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 64th of 24088 | 97,808 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 118th of 23106 | 40,482 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5003rd of 9107 | 52 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3628th of 9204 | 116 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3710th of 12526 | 203 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3745th of 19264 | 270 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4481st of 27321 | 323 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9391st of 35406 | 174 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20416th of 30306 | 24 |