Name profile

BoyPronounced American English /ˈd͡ʒɑn.ə.θən/; British English /ˈd͡ʒɒn.ə.θən/; French /ʒɔ.na.tɑ̃/; German /ˈjoː.na.tan/; Dutch /ˈjoː.naː.tɑn/Dutch language family

Jonathan

A name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has given".

Quick answer

Jonathan is a boy name with Hebrew roots meaning "Yahweh has given".

Pronunciation: American English /ˈd͡ʒɑn.ə.θən/; British English /ˈd͡ʒɒn.ə.θən/; French /ʒɔ.na.tɑ̃/; German /ˈjoː.na.tan/; Dutch /ˈjoː.naː.tɑn/.

GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
MeaningYahweh has given
PronunciationAmerican English /ˈd͡ʒɑn.ə.θən/; British English /ˈd͡ʒɒn.ə.θən/; French /ʒɔ.na.tɑ̃/; German /ˈjoː.na.tan/; Dutch /ˈjoː.naː.tɑn/
Language familyDutch

Meaning and history

This name comes from the Hebrew name יְהוֹנָתָן (Yehonaṯan), contracted to יוֹנָתָן (Yonaṯan), meaning " Yahweh has given", derived from the roots יְהוֹ ( yeho ) referring to the Hebrew God and נָתַן ( naṯan ) meaning "to give". According to the Old Testament, Jonathan was the eldest son of Saul. His relationship with his father was strained due to his close friendship with his father's rival David. Along with Saul he was killed in battle with the Philistines. As an English name, Jonathan did not become common until after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was the Anglo-Irish satirist Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), who wrote Gulliver's Travels and other works.

Notes and context

Usage: english, french, german, swedish, norwegian, danish, dutch, biblical | Ancient Hebrew: יוֹנָתָן