Nathaniel
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Gift of God — a name of profound divine blessing
Origin: Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #140 in 2025 with 2,565 babies born.
History: Nathaniel derives from the Hebrew 'Netan'el,' meaning God has given. In the New Testament, Nathaniel is an apostle identified with Bartholomew. It was a popular name among the Puritans in early America and is associated with author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote The Scarlet Letter. It remains an elegant, classic choice with timeless appeal.
Name length: 9 letters
How common is Nathaniel? About 1 in 1,298 babies born in 2025 were named Nathaniel, or roughly 7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Nathaniel
What does the name Nathaniel mean?
Nathaniel means “Gift of God — a name of profound divine blessing” from Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Nathaniel?
Nathaniel has Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Gift of God — a name of profound divine blessing”.
How popular is Nathaniel?
Nathaniel ranked #140 in 2025 — given to 2,565 babies that year.
When was Nathaniel most popular?
Nathaniel peaked in 2002 with 6,813 babies registered that year.
Is Nathaniel a boy or girl name?
Nathaniel is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Nathaniels in registered births are male.
Is the name Nathaniel rising or falling in popularity?
Nathaniel has risen 13367 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #13507 in 2020 to #140 in 2025.
How long has Nathaniel been recorded?
Nathaniel appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.