| Ethan | Jonathan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Strong, enduring | Yahweh has given |
| Origin | Hebrew | hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EE-thun | JON-ə-thən |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1882 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2004 (22,210) | 1988 (24,349) |
| In 2025 | 7,852 | 3,822 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ethan | Jonathan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 50,594 | 25,386 |
| 2010s | 149,111 | 79,888 |
| 2000s | 201,835 | 144,848 |
| 1990s | 66,930 | 197,503 |
| 1980s | 10,490 | 229,953 |
| 1970s | 5,301 | 107,926 |
| 1960s | 1,601 | 47,389 |
| 1950s | 553 | 25,816 |
| 1940s | 254 | 8,296 |
| 1930s | 225 | 1,663 |
| 1920s | 233 | 1,078 |
| 1910s | 184 | 660 |
| 1900s | 17 | 139 |
| 1890s | 31 | 129 |
| 1880s | 30 | 192 |
Ethan comes from the Hebrew for “firm, enduring, strong.” In the Bible, Ethan the Ezrahite was noted for his wisdom.
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.
Ethan is more popular than Jonathan today: about 7,852 US babies were given the name Ethan in 2025, compared with 3,822 named Jonathan.
Ethan means Strong, enduring (Hebrew origin), while Jonathan means Yahweh has given (hebrew origin).
In US records, Ethan first appears in 1882 and Jonathan in 1880, so Jonathan has the longer recorded history.