Jonathan (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָתָן/יוֹנָתָן‎, Standard: Yehōnatan / Yōnatan, Tiberian: Yŏhōnāṯān / Yōnāṯān[1]) is a common name given to males which means " YHWH has given" in Hebrew. [2][3] The earliest known use of the name was in the Bible; one Jonathan was the son of King Saul, a close friend of David. Jonathan is often used as a boy name.

Understanding the Context

Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Jonathan. Jonathan, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) books 1 and 2 Samuel, the eldest son of King Saul. Jonathan’s intrepidity and fidelity to his friend, the future king David, make him one of the most admired figures in the Bible. 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".

Key Insights

According to the Old Testament, Jonathan was the eldest son of Saul. Jonathan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of Jehovah". Jonathan is the 83 ranked male name by popularity. The meaning of JONATHAN is a son of Saul and friend of David according to the account in I Samuel. The name Jonathan is of Hebrew origin and means "gift of God" or "God has given." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yehonatan, which combines the elements "Yahweh" (God) and "natan" (to give).

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Edwards ( – ) was an American revivalist preacher, philosopher, and Congregationalist theologian. Edwards is widely regarded as one of America's most important and original philosophical theologians. Learn about the name Jonathan including the meaning, gender, origin, popularity, and more.