Name meaning & stats
Jonathan
Jonathan means “God has given” (Hebrew origin). 870,579 US babies since 1940, peak 1988. Notable Jonathans are 1.5× over-represented as writers.
What it means
“God has given”
HebrewWell documented
From Hebrew Yehonatan.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1988
870,579 US babies were named Jonathan between 1940 and 2025.
Where Jonathans end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.2× | High · 147 people |
| Professor | 1.4× | High · 133 people |
| Writer | 1.5× | High · 129 people |
| Footballer | 0.7× | High · 95 people |
Among notable men who are writers, Jonathans show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Jonathan has a surprise career: 1.7×
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 81% of the family
- Jonathan 81%
- Johnathan 9%
- Jonathon 6%
- Johnathon 2%
- Jonathen <1%
- Johnathen <1%
- Jonnathan <1%
- Jonthan <1%
- Jhonathan <1%
- Jonothan <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1988)