Jonathan
Jonathan is a Christian boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God has given”.
| Meaning | God has given |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | יְהוֹנָתָן |
| Pronunciation | JON-uh-thun |
| Tradition | Christian, Jewish |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Jonathan
Jonathan comes from the Hebrew Yehonatan, joining a short form of the divine name with natan, 'he gave', so it means 'God has given'. In the Hebrew Bible Jonathan is the son of King Saul, remembered for his loyal friendship with David, which is told in the books of Samuel. The name passed into English through Latin and Greek Bible translations and became a steady favourite after the Reformation. Writer Jonathan Swift is one well-known bearer.
Is Jonathan a Christian name?
Jonathan is a biblical name found in the books of Samuel, so it is used by both Christian and Jewish families; in Israel the Hebrew forms Yonatan and Yehonatan are common.
How popular is Jonathan?
A long-established classic across the English-speaking world, never strongly in or out of fashion.
Gifts with the name Jonathan
- Jonathan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Jonathan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Jonathan
Names similar to Jonathan
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jonathan mean?
Jonathan means 'God has given'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Jonathan a Christian name?
Jonathan is a biblical name found in the books of Samuel, so it is used by both Christian and Jewish families; in Israel the Hebrew forms Yonatan and Yehonatan are common.
How do you pronounce Jonathan?
Jonathan is pronounced JON-uh-thun.
Is Jonathan a boy or girl name?
Jonathan is usually a boy name.