Nathan is of Hebrew origin, translating to 'He gave' or 'Given'. It is derived from the Babylonian name Nathaniah, which means 'God has given'. This name has a significant presence in both Jewish and Christian traditions. In the Old Testament, Nathan was the prophet who anointed King David. In New Testament times, Saint Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. The name Nathan gained prominence among European royalty in the Middle Ages and has been popular ever since. It reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s.
The name Nathan experienced a significant rise in popularity from the 1970s onwards, with a notable peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Between 1975 and 1983 alone, there were over 600 births per year on average. However, since then, its popularity has consistently declined, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded in the most recent data available from 2016 to 2022.