| Jonathan | Joseph | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Yahweh has given | God shall add |
| Origin | hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JON-ə-thən | JOH-zef |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1988 (24,349) | 1956 (32,749) |
| In 2025 | 3,822 | 7,303 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Jonathan | Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25,386 | 46,334 |
| 2010s | 79,888 | 115,722 |
| 2000s | 144,848 | 194,962 |
| 1990s | 197,503 | 260,751 |
| 1980s | 229,953 | 299,411 |
| 1970s | 107,926 | 244,825 |
| 1960s | 47,389 | 283,048 |
| 1950s | 25,816 | 300,012 |
| 1940s | 8,296 | 230,285 |
| 1930s | 1,663 | 180,566 |
| 1920s | 1,078 | 243,809 |
| 1910s | 660 | 179,300 |
| 1900s | 139 | 35,173 |
| 1890s | 129 | 29,000 |
| 1880s | 192 | 26,292 |
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.
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, “he will add” or “God will increase.” It is borne by Joseph of the coat of many colours and by St Joseph, husband of Mary.
Joseph is more popular than Jonathan today: about 7,303 US babies were given the name Joseph in 2025, compared with 3,822 named Jonathan.
Jonathan means Yahweh has given (hebrew origin), while Joseph means God shall add (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Jonathan first appears in 1880 and Joseph in 1880, so Jonathan has the longer recorded history.