Johnathan is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It means "God is gracious" or "gift from God." The name is derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan," which consists of the elements "Yah," meaning "God," and "-hanan," meaning "gracious."
The name Johnathan has a rich history, with notable figures throughout time bearing this moniker. One famous historical figure named Johnathan was Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), a prominent American revivalist preacher, philosopher, and theologian during the First Great Awakening in the 18th century.
In literature, the name is associated with characters such as Jonathan Swift, the Irish satirical writer and poet best known for his novel "Gulliver's Travels," and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, the main protagonists of Susanna Clarke's award-winning novel set in 19th-century England.
Today, Johnathan remains a popular given name worldwide, with its popularity likely attributed to its biblical roots and association with notable historical figures and literary characters. Despite its ancient origins, the name has an enduring appeal that transcends time and cultural boundaries.
The name Johnathan had a notable increase in popularity over the years, with a significant surge starting around 1950 and peaking between 1980 and 1990, reaching an all-time high of 3245 births in 1990. However, since then, its popularity has steadily declined, with only 647 births recorded in 2023. Overall, from 1881 to 2023, there have been a total of 97046 babies named Johnathan born.