Nathaniel Name Meaning

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Nathaniel Name Meaning

Fact: The name Nathaniel has various international forms, including Nathanael in French and Natanael in Spanish.

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A Deep Dive

Nathaniel Overview

Meaning

Gift of God, God has given

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Netan’el,” meaning “gift of God.”

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈnæθ.ən.jəl/

Popularity

Nathaniel is a well-known name globally, often used in English-speaking countries. Recently, Nathaniel has ranked within the top 150 names for boys in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

9 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Religious and Spiritual, Classic, Traditional, Long

Associated Traits

Intelligent, dependable, thoughtful, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Nathaniel is a biblical name, known as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, also referred to as Bartholomew in the New Testament.

Name Day

August 24th
A Deep Dive

Nathaniel Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Nathan, Nathanial, Nathanael, Nathanel, Nataniel, Natanael

Common Nicknames

Natie, Natty, Natey, Than, Thanny

Diminutives

Nate, Nat, Nathan, Neil, Niel

Famous People

  • Nathaniel Hawthorne
    (American Author)
  • Nathaniel Philbrick
    (American Author)
  • Nathaniel Rateliff
    (American Musician)
  • Nathaniel Parker
    (British Actor)
  • Nathaniel Bacon
    (American Colonist)
  • Nathaniel Buzolic
    (Australian Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Nathaniel Ayers
    ("The Soloist," Film)
  • "Nathaniel Hawthorne"
    (Author)
  • Nathaniel Fisher
    ("Six Feet Under," TV Series)
  • Nathaniel Archibald
    ("Gossip Girl," TV Series)
  • "Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats"
    (Band)

What Is the Meaning of Nathaniel?

Nathaniel means “gift of God” or “God has given.” Those with the name Nathaniel are often perceived as wise and thoughtful, embodying a sense of generosity and insightfulness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Nathaniel?

The name Nathaniel has Hebrew roots, originating from the Hebrew name “Netan’el.” It has a long history of use, particularly in religious contexts, and became widely known through the biblical figure Nathaniel, one of the apostles of Jesus.

Nathaniel Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Nathaniel in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1332021#1382022#1432023
Top 3 Rankings#601998#612000#612001

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Nathaniel

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023143
(-5 from 2022)
2507
(-185 from 2022)
0.13691
2022138
(-5 from 2021)
2692
(-127 from 2021)
0.14373
2021133
(-8 from 2020)
2819
(-103 from 2020)
0.15046
2020125
(-2 from 2019)
2922
(-167 from 2019)
0.15797
2019123
(-7 from 2018)
3089
(-300 from 2018)
0.16074
2018116
(-4 from 2017)
3389
(-147 from 2017)
0.17435
2017112
(-9 from 2016)
3536
(-348 from 2016)
0.17867
2016103
(-6 from 2015)
3884
(-348 from 2015)
0.19174
201597
(-3 from 2014)
4232
(-84 from 2014)
0.20700
201494
(-3 from 2013)
4316
(-219 from 2013)
0.21062
201391
(-7 from 2012)
4535
(-259 from 2012)
0.22443
201284
No change from 2011
4794
(-184 from 2011)
0.23625
201184
(-3 from 2010)
4978
(-130 from 2010)
0.24505
201081
(-6 from 2009)
5108
(-318 from 2009)
0.24864
200975
(+2 from 2008)
5426
(-430 from 2008)
0.25583
200877
(+5 from 2007)
5856
(-210 from 2007)
0.26857
200782
(-13 from 2006)
6066
(-560 from 2006)
0.27385
200669
(-2 from 2005)
6626
(-63 from 2005)
0.30223
200567
(+1 from 2004)
6689
(+14 from 2004)
0.31443
200468
(-5 from 2003)
6675
(+9 from 2003)
0.31585
200363
(-1 from 2002)
6666
(-147 from 2002)
0.31725
200262
(-1 from 2001)
6813
(+168 from 2001)
0.32966
200161
No change from 2000
6645
(-152 from 2000)
0.32126
200061
(+1 from 1999)
6797
(+331 from 1999)
0.32548
199962
(-2 from 1998)
6466
(+39 from 1998)
0.31712
199860
(+5 from 1997)
6427
(+652 from 1997)
0.31697
199765
(+4 from 1996)
5775
(+356 from 1996)
0.28907
199669
(+4 from 1995)
5419
(+216 from 1995)
0.27045
199573
(+5 from 1994)
5203
(+174 from 1994)
0.25868
199478
(-3 from 1993)
5029
(+175 from 1993)
0.24672
199375
(+4 from 1992)
4854
(+167 from 1992)
0.23500
199279
(+5 from 1991)
4687
(+320 from 1991)
0.22328
199184
(+2 from 1990)
4367
(+20 from 1990)
0.20602
199086
(-2 from 1989)
4347
(+227 from 1989)
0.20200
198984
(-2 from 1988)
4120
(+66 from 1988)
0.19657
198882
(-4 from 1987)
4054
(+4 from 1987)
0.20247
198778
No change from 1986
4050
(+19 from 1986)
0.20767
198678
(-1 from 1985)
4031
(+26 from 1985)
0.20976
198577
(+3 from 1984)
4005
(+403 from 1984)
0.20812
198480
(-1 from 1983)
3602
(-39 from 1983)
0.19193
198379
(-4 from 1982)
3641
(-297 from 1982)
0.19538
198275
(+5 from 1981)
3938
(+219 from 1981)
0.20867
198180
(+6 from 1980)
3719
(+227 from 1980)
0.19969
198086
(+9 from 1979)
3492
(+452 from 1979)
0.18827
197995
(-1 from 1978)
3040
(+115 from 1978)
0.16971
197894
(+13 from 1977)
2925
(+426 from 1977)
0.17119
1977107
(+7 from 1976)
2499
(+289 from 1976)
0.14620
1976114
(+17 from 1975)
2210
(+253 from 1975)
0.13537
1975131
(+22 from 1974)
1957
(+348 from 1974)
0.12062
1974153
(+16 from 1973)
1609
(+218 from 1973)
0.09870
1973169
(+23 from 1972)
1391
(+183 from 1972)
0.08620
1972192
(+8 from 1971)
1208
(-3 from 1971)
0.07216
1971200
(+18 from 1970)
1211
(+76 from 1970)
0.06662
1970218
(+13 from 1969)
1135
(+144 from 1969)
0.05959
1969231
(+4 from 1968)
991
(+69 from 1968)
0.05418
1968235
(-9 from 1967)
922
(-55 from 1967)
0.05193
1967226
(+9 from 1966)
977
(+74 from 1966)
0.05491
1966235
(-12 from 1965)
903
(-168 from 1965)
0.04968
1965223
(+14 from 1964)
1071
(+48 from 1964)
0.05653
1964237
(-4 from 1963)
1023
(-2 from 1963)
0.05047
1963233
(+1 from 1962)
1025
(-61 from 1962)
0.04965
1962234
(+10 from 1961)
1086
(+38 from 1961)
0.05167
1961244
(-6 from 1960)
1048
(-96 from 1960)
0.04859
1960238
(-2 from 1959)
1144
(-12 from 1959)
0.05283
1959236
(-2 from 1958)
1156
(+49 from 1958)
0.05336
1958234
(-21 from 1957)
1107
(-154 from 1957)
0.05137
1957213
(-8 from 1956)
1261
(-50 from 1956)
0.05761
1956205
(-9 from 1955)
1311
(-19 from 1955)
0.06108
1955196
(+7 from 1954)
1330
(+101 from 1954)
0.06363
1954203
(-11 from 1953)
1229
(-39 from 1953)
0.05940
1953192
(-3 from 1952)
1268
(+11 from 1952)
0.06333
1952189
(-2 from 1951)
1257
(+10 from 1951)
0.06370
1951187
(-5 from 1950)
1247
(+25 from 1950)
0.06523
1950182
(-3 from 1949)
1222
(+29 from 1949)
0.06719
1949179
(+1 from 1948)
1193
(+34 from 1948)
0.06620
1948180
(+7 from 1947)
1159
(+59 from 1947)
0.06501
1947187
(-1 from 1946)
1100
(+123 from 1946)
0.05922
1946186
(-5 from 1945)
977
(+124 from 1945)
0.05920
1945181
(+3 from 1944)
853
(-11 from 1944)
0.06220
1944184
(+7 from 1943)
864
(+24 from 1943)
0.06220
1943191
(-3 from 1942)
840
(-2 from 1942)
0.05775
1942188
(-6 from 1941)
842
(+13 from 1941)
0.05979
1941182
(-6 from 1940)
829
(-4 from 1940)
0.06606
1940176
(+7 from 1939)
833
(+63 from 1939)
0.07023
1939183
(+3 from 1938)
770
(+21 from 1938)
0.06794
1938186
No change from 1937
749
(+46 from 1937)
0.06590
1937186
(-7 from 1936)
703
(-35 from 1936)
0.06428
1936179
(+1 from 1935)
738
(-9 from 1935)
0.06934
1935180
(-6 from 1934)
747
(-35 from 1934)
0.06984
1934174
(+4 from 1933)
782
(+54 from 1933)
0.07364
1933178
(-2 from 1932)
728
(-53 from 1932)
0.07136
1932176
(+23 from 1931)
781
(+122 from 1931)
0.07269
1931199
(-14 from 1930)
659
(-95 from 1930)
0.06160
1930185
(-1 from 1929)
754
(-6 from 1929)
0.06675
1929184
(+9 from 1928)
760
(+32 from 1928)
0.06862
1928193
(-6 from 1927)
728
(-41 from 1927)
0.06379
1927187
(-11 from 1926)
769
(-52 from 1926)
0.06618
1926176
(+2 from 1925)
821
(+11 from 1925)
0.07168
1925178
(+1 from 1924)
810
(+10 from 1924)
0.07035
1924179
(+14 from 1923)
800
(+79 from 1923)
0.06843
1923193
(-18 from 1922)
721
(-79 from 1922)
0.06368
1922175
(+12 from 1921)
800
(+52 from 1921)
0.07110
1921187
(-21 from 1920)
748
(-89 from 1920)
0.06573
1920166
(+8 from 1919)
837
(+89 from 1919)
0.07604
1919174
(+19 from 1918)
748
(+87 from 1918)
0.07367
1918193
(-4 from 1917)
661
(+21 from 1917)
0.06303
1917189
(+4 from 1916)
640
(+50 from 1916)
0.06671
1916193
(+4 from 1915)
590
(+36 from 1915)
0.06391
1915197
(-12 from 1914)
554
(+84 from 1914)
0.06289
1914185
(+16 from 1913)
470
(+133 from 1913)
0.06878
1913201
(-38 from 1912)
337
(-19 from 1912)
0.06284
1912163
(-2 from 1911)
356
(+149 from 1911)
0.07886
1911161
(-22 from 1910)
207
(-25 from 1910)
0.08575
1910139
(+33 from 1909)
232
(+89 from 1909)
0.11126
1909172
(-13 from 1908)
143
(-7 from 1908)
0.08085
1908159
(+15 from 1907)
150
(+26 from 1907)
0.09016
1907174
(+3 from 1906)
124
(+23 from 1906)
0.07819
1906177
(-10 from 1905)
101
(-16 from 1905)
0.07011
1905167
(+7 from 1904)
117
(+12 from 1904)
0.08169
1904174
(-9 from 1903)
105
No change from 1903
0.07581
1903165
(+24 from 1902)
105
(+17 from 1902)
0.08119
1902189
(-26 from 1901)
88
(-4 from 1901)
0.06629
1901163
(+13 from 1900)
92
(-26 from 1900)
0.07959
1900176
(+13 from 1899)
118
(+46 from 1899)
0.07278
1899189
(-14 from 1898)
72
(-18 from 1898)
0.06250
1898175
(+97 from 1897)
90
(+47 from 1897)
0.06813
1897272
(-66 from 1896)
43
(-30 from 1896)
0.03526
1896206
(-7 from 1895)
73
(+1 from 1895)
0.05656
1895199
(-7 from 1894)
72
(-5 from 1894)
0.05685
1894192
(+32 from 1893)
77
(+19 from 1893)
0.06165
1893224
(-28 from 1892)
58
(-20 from 1892)
0.04792
1892196
(+41 from 1891)
78
(+32 from 1891)
0.05934
1891237
(-59 from 1890)
46
(-29 from 1890)
0.04210
1890178
(+55 from 1889)
75
(+27 from 1889)
0.06266
1889233
(-12 from 1888)
48
(-15 from 1888)
0.04033
1888221
(-18 from 1887)
63
(+6 from 1887)
0.04850
1887203
(+17 from 1886)
57
(-2 from 1886)
0.05214
1886220
No change from 1885
59
(+5 from 1885)
0.04956
1885220
(+1 from 1884)
54
(-2 from 1884)
0.04657
1884221
No change from 1883
56
(+7 from 1883)
0.04563
1883221
(-4 from 1882)
49
(-8 from 1882)
0.04357
1882217
(+3 from 1881)
57
(+9 from 1881)
0.04671
1881220
(-20 from 1880)
48
(-12 from 1880)
0.04433
1880200
First SSA data recorded
60
First SSA data recorded
0.05068

American States Popularity Rankings for Nathaniel

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#952021#1052022#1062023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1072021#1132022#1002023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1122021#1182022#1052023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1612021#1292022#1522023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1802021#1942022#2142023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1382021#1542022#1322023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1432021#1442022#1722023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1782021#1662022#2122023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1392021#1852022#2072023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1132021#1182022#1322023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2412021#1602022#2562023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1712021#1492022#1812023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1772021#1862022#1772023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1162021#882022#1332023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1882021#1522022#1972023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1872021#1802022#2262023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#842021#1122022#1182023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1682021#1842022#1712023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#962021#1102022#1662023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1312021#1502022#1352023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1152021#1032022#1122023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2212021#2622022#1822023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1672021#1332022#1852023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2122021#2502022#2532023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1682021#2132022#1972023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1522021#1812022#2532023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1812021#2652022#2222023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1602021#2172022#2252023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2082021#1872022#2152023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1522021#1622022#1822023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1312021#1052022#892023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2042021#2542022#1522023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1022021#942022#662023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2492021#2612022#2142023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2072021#872022#562023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1692021#1762022#1612023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2532021#3282022#3442023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3062021#2712022#3642023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1472021#1672022#2582023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1432021#1512022#1462023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2022021#2302022#1232023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1802021#1792022#2222023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1172020#1112022#1672023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#932021#1622022#2362023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1762021#1422022#1662023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1282021#1692022#1762023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2112020#2252021#2582023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2122020#2892021#2282023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2222021#2252022#1722023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#842009#1162010#1232012

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1712014#1782015#1062019

Popularity Rankings for Nathaniel in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Philippines

Philippines flagPhilippines#22020#22021#12022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#362016#352020#162021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#922017#962018#962019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#922020#1082021#1392022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1122021#972022#1342023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1372019#1482020#1572021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1502021#1442022#1402023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2582021#2092022#1822023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1992021#1842022#1842023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1912021#2102022#2062023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2392021#2312022#2352023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3262021#2342022#3122023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3122021#2732022#3032023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#4452022#4372023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4942021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#6122018#6132019#8692021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Nathaniel a Name for Boys or Girls?

Nathaniel is generally a boy’s name. This classic name has been a strong choice for boys for centuries, often favored for its timeless, biblical connection.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Nathaniel

Nathaniel in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author, 1804–1864): A renowned American author known for his dark romantic novels such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables."
  • Nathaniel Philbrick (Author, born 1956): An American author best known for his historical books such as "In the Heart of the Sea" and "Mayflower."
  • Nathaniel Rateliff (Musician, born 1978): An American singer and songwriter famous for his work with the band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
  • Nathaniel Parker (Actor, born 1962): A British actor recognized for his role in the TV series "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries."
  • Nathaniel Bacon (Colonist, 1647–1676): An American colonist who led Bacon's Rebellion in 1676.
  • Nathaniel Buzolic (Actor, born 1983): An Australian actor known for his roles in TV series such as "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals."
  • Nathaniel Ayers (Musician, born 1951): An American musician whose life story inspired the film "The Soloist."
  • Nathaniel Bowditch (Mathematician, 1773–1838): An American mathematician and navigator known for his work "The American Practical Navigator."
  • Nathaniel Clyne (Footballer, born 1991): An English professional footballer who has played for clubs such as Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
  • Nathaniel Branden (Psychologist, 1930–2014): A Canadian-American psychotherapist and writer known for his work on self-esteem.
  • Nathaniel Ayers ("The Soloist," 2009 Film): A talented musician struggling with schizophrenia, who is discovered by a journalist.
  • "Nathaniel Hawthorne" (1804-1864 Author): An American novelist and short story writer known for works like "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables."
  • Nathaniel Fisher ("Six Feet Under," 2001 TV Series): The patriarch of the Fisher family who runs a funeral home and dies in the first episode, appearing in flashbacks and visions.
  • Nathaniel Archibald ("Gossip Girl," 2007 TV Series): A wealthy and charming young man navigating the complexities of life among New York's elite.
  • "Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats" (2015 Band): A soul and R&B band known for their energetic performances and hit song "S.O.B."
  • Nathaniel Essex ("Marvel Comics"): Also known as Mister Sinister, a supervillain and geneticist obsessed with mutation and evolution.
  • Nathaniel "Nate" Wright ("Big Nate," 1991 Comic Strip): A mischievous and creative sixth-grader with a penchant for trouble.
  • Nathaniel Taylor ("Terra Nova," 2011 TV Series): The commander of a colony of humans living in the prehistoric past to escape the dystopian future.
  • Nathaniel Bumppo ("The Leatherstocking Tales," 1823 Novel Series by James Fenimore Cooper): Also known as Hawkeye, a frontiersman and hero in early American literature.
  • "Nathaniel" (2017 Song by Real Friends): A song that explores themes of friendship and personal growth.
  • None

Similar Names to Nathaniel