UK boy's name
Jonatan
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has given" or "Gift of God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Jonatan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jonatan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 7 births.
This profile covers 62 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2007 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 62 living people in the UK are called Jonatan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Jonatan ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 7 boys were registered as Jonatan.
- • About 62 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jonatan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
7 births
Estimated living
62
2026
Meaning
What does Jonatan mean?
The name Jonatan is a variant spelling of the Hebrew name Jonathan, derived from the roots Jonatan or Yonatan. It is a biblical name meaning "Yahweh has given" or "gift of God." The name's origins can be traced back to the ancient Israelites and the Old Testament.
The earliest known bearer of this name was Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a close friend of David in the Hebrew Bible. Jonathan played a crucial role in the transition of power from Saul to David, and his unwavering loyalty to David is celebrated in the biblical narrative.
In the Middle Ages, the name Jonatan gained popularity among Jewish communities across Europe. One notable figure was Jonatan ben David Ha-Cohen, a 12th-century French rabbi and scholar who wrote extensively on Jewish law and philosophy.
During the Renaissance period, the name Jonatan was adopted by Christians, particularly in England and other parts of Europe. One of the earliest recorded examples is Jonatan Swift, the father of the renowned author Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), best known for his satirical works, including Gulliver's Travels.
In the 17th century, Jonatan Brewster (1593-1659) was a prominent figure among the Puritan settlers in colonial America. He served as an elder in the Plymouth Colony and played a significant role in the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Jonatan Trumbull (1710-1785), a merchant and statesman who served as the Governor of Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War. He was a close friend and advisor to George Washington and played a crucial role in supporting the Continental Army.
In the 19th century, Jonatan Jonasson (1819-1898) was a Swedish theologian and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of the Old Testament and biblical languages. His works were widely influential in shaping the field of biblical studies in Scandinavia.
These are just a few examples of the historical figures who bore the name Jonatan, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Jonatan over time
The chart below shows babies named Jonatan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Jonatan, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jonatan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jonatan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4417 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3558 | 39 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3758 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Jonatan
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Jonatan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Jonatan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Jonatan was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Jonatan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 7 babies registered as Jonatan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Jonatan?
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has given" or "Gift of God".
How many people are called Jonatan in the UK?
A total of 62 babies have been registered as Jonatan across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.