| Jonathan | Aaron | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Yahweh has given | Exalted; of uncertain origin |
| Origin | hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JON-ə-thən | AIR-un |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1988 (24,349) | 1989 (15,308) |
| In 2025 | 3,822 | 4,041 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Jonathan | Aaron |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25,386 | 27,346 |
| 2010s | 79,888 | 70,488 |
| 2000s | 144,848 | 86,992 |
| 1990s | 197,503 | 128,377 |
| 1980s | 229,953 | 138,357 |
| 1970s | 107,926 | 101,487 |
| 1960s | 47,389 | 26,070 |
| 1950s | 25,816 | 11,141 |
| 1940s | 8,296 | 5,940 |
| 1930s | 1,663 | 4,727 |
| 1920s | 1,078 | 6,177 |
| 1910s | 660 | 4,570 |
| 1900s | 139 | 1,050 |
| 1890s | 129 | 830 |
| 1880s | 192 | 910 |
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 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.
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.
Jonathan means Yahweh has given (hebrew origin), while Aaron means Exalted; of uncertain origin (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Jonathan first appears in 1880 and Aaron in 1880, so Jonathan has the longer recorded history.