How to say it
na · THAN · iel
nəˈθæn.jəl
Masculine
Nathaniel
Gift of God
What it means
Hebrew Netanʾel ('gift of God,' nathan 'gave' + ʾēl 'God'). A New Testament apostle often identified with Bartholomew. The longer formal cousin of Nathan.
Nathaniel is the longer form of Nathan, from the Hebrew Netanʾel ('gift of God'). In the Gospel of John, Nathanael is one of Jesus's first followers; tradition identifies him with the apostle Bartholomew. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), author of The Scarlet Letter, is the strongest English-language literary anchor. The English Nathaniel was steady through the centuries, peaked in the 1990s with the biblical-name revival, and is sliding gently now. Nate is the universal short (shared with Nathan); Nat is the older form.
How to spell Nathaniel
The standard spelling is Nathaniel. Common variants include Nathanael, Nathan, Natan, but Nathaniel is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #60 in 1998, currently #140 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Nate is the universal short, shared with the standalone Nathan. Some families use the formal Nathaniel and short Nate to honor both.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne American novelist, The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables
- Nathaniel (Bible) Apostle in the Gospel of John, traditionally identified with Bartholomew
Spelling variants
- Nathanael
- Nathan
- Natan
Names with the same feeling
See Nathaniel from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Nathaniel mean?
- Hebrew Netanʾel ('gift of God,' nathan 'gave' + ʾēl 'God'). A New Testament apostle often identified with Bartholomew. The longer formal cousin of Nathan.
- What does Nathaniel mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Nathaniel means "Gift of God." Nathaniel is the longer form of Nathan, from the Hebrew Netanʾel ('gift of God'). In the Gospel of John, Nathanael is one of Jesus's first followers; tradition identifies him with the apostle Bartholomew. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), author of The Scarlet Letter, is the strongest English-language literary anchor. The English Nathaniel was steady through the centuries, peaked in the 1990s with the biblical-name revival, and is sliding gently now. Nate is the universal short (shared with Nathan); Nat is the older form.
- How do you pronounce Nathaniel?
- Nathaniel is pronounced nəˈθæn.jəl. Say it as na-THAN-iel, with the stress on the "than" syllable.
- How do you spell Nathaniel?
- The standard spelling is Nathaniel. Common spelling variants include Nathanael, Nathan, Natan.
- Is Nathaniel a boy or girl name?
- Nathaniel is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Nathaniel?
- Nathaniel ranked #140 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.