| Aaron | Jonathan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Exalted; of uncertain origin | Yahweh has given |
| Origin | Hebrew | hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AIR-un | JON-ə-thən |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1989 (15,308) | 1988 (24,349) |
| In 2025 | 4,041 | 3,822 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Aaron | Jonathan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27,346 | 25,386 |
| 2010s | 70,488 | 79,888 |
| 2000s | 86,992 | 144,848 |
| 1990s | 128,377 | 197,503 |
| 1980s | 138,357 | 229,953 |
| 1970s | 101,487 | 107,926 |
| 1960s | 26,070 | 47,389 |
| 1950s | 11,141 | 25,816 |
| 1940s | 5,940 | 8,296 |
| 1930s | 4,727 | 1,663 |
| 1920s | 6,177 | 1,078 |
| 1910s | 4,570 | 660 |
| 1900s | 1,050 | 139 |
| 1890s | 830 | 129 |
| 1880s | 910 | 192 |
Aaron is a Hebrew name of debated meaning, often given as “exalted, high” or “mountain of strength.” In the Bible he is the elder brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel.
From Hebrew Yehonatan, combining yeho (a form of Yahweh) + natan 'to give' — 'Yahweh has given'. A 'gift of God' name framed as God's act of giving.
Aaron is more popular than Jonathan today: about 4,041 US babies were given the name Aaron in 2025, compared with 3,822 named Jonathan.
Aaron means Exalted; of uncertain origin (Hebrew origin), while Jonathan means Yahweh has given (hebrew origin).
In US records, Aaron first appears in 1880 and Jonathan in 1880, so Aaron has the longer recorded history.