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