The name Nathan, pronounced /ˈneɪθən/, is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'he gave' in reference to God giving Samuel to Hannah as requested after many years of prayer. It is derived from the Hebrew name Nathaniel, which was borne by a apostle in the New Testament. The name Nathan has been popular among English-speaking countries since the 19th century and peaked in popularity during the late 20th century. Notable individuals with this name include American actor Nathan Lane and Canadian singer-songwriter Nathan Wiley.
The name Nathan saw a consistent rise in popularity from 2001 to 2008, with a significant spike in births occurring in 2008.