Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God has heard." It is derived from the elements "yonah," which means "heard," and "-thān," which means "gift." The name Jonathan is traditionally used for boys.
The name Jonathan first appears in the Bible, where it is the name of one of King Saul's sons. In the story, Jonathan becomes friends with David, who eventually becomes king after Saul's death. This biblical association has contributed to the popularity of the name Jonathan throughout history.
In literature, the name Jonathan has been used by several notable authors, including Charles Dickens in his novel "David Copperfield" and George Eliot in her novel "Daniel Deronda." Additionally, the name Jonathan has been popular among famous people such as Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer and satirist, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a fictional character created by Richard Bach.
Today, Jonathan remains a popular name for boys around the world. It is often shortened to Jon or Jonathan, and its variants include Jonathon, Jonathen, Jonothan, and Jonathonh. Despite its popularity, the name Jonathan has retained its unique and distinguished sound throughout history.
"The name Jonothan peaked in popularity between the mid-1960s and early-1980s, with over 30 births per year occurring consistently from 1967 to 1982. However, by the late 1990s, its popularity had significantly declined, with fewer than 10 births per year after 1998."