Nathaniel – Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity
Meaning of Nathaniel:
The name Nathaniel is of Hebrew origin and means “gift of God.” It is a variant of the name “Nathan,” which itself comes from the Hebrew name “Natan,” meaning “he gave.”
Origin and History of Nathaniel:
The name Nathaniel is associated with a figure in the New Testament of the Bible. In the Gospel of John, Nathaniel is a disciple of Jesus and is traditionally identified with the apostle Bartholomew.
Variations of the name can include “Nathanial” or “Nathanael.” The name has also been adapted in different languages, such as the French “Nathanaël.”
Popularity of Nathaniel:
According to the United States Social Security Administration, Nathaniel is the 12261st most popular name in the United States. An estimated 604 have this name, and there are 0.19 people with this name for every 100,000 Americans.
This has been a consistently popular name in English-speaking countries for many years. It’s a classic name with timeless appeal.
Famous People Named Nathaniel:
- Nathaniel Hawthorne (Nathaniel Hawthorne): Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer, best known for his works “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables.”
- Nathaniel Philbrick (Nathaniel Philbrick): Nathaniel Philbrick is an American author and historian, known for his non-fiction works such as “In the Heart of the Sea,” which recounts the sinking of the whaleship Essex.
- Nathaniel Rateliff (Nathaniel Rateliff): Nathaniel Rateliff is an American singer-songwriter and musician, frontman of the band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. He is known for his soulful and bluesy style.
- Nathaniel Branden (Nathaniel Branden): Nathaniel Branden was a Canadian psychotherapist and author known for his work in the field of psychology and his association with Ayn Rand.
- Nathaniel Crosby (Nathaniel Patrick Crosby): Nathaniel Crosby is an American golfer and the son of the legendary entertainer Bing Crosby.
- Nathaniel Taylor (Nathaniel Taylor Jr.): Nathaniel Taylor was an American actor, best known for his role as Rollo Lawson on the television sitcom “Sanford and Son.”
- Nathaniel Bowditch (Nathaniel Bowditch): Nathaniel Bowditch was an American mathematician, astronomer, and navigator, often credited with the modernization of navigation.
Nicknames for Nathaniel:
Some common nicknames for Nathaniel include:
- Nate
- Nathan
- Nat