Jonathan’s 2006; Image via Wikipedia
He sounds like an elaboration of the evergreen John, but this name has a history all his own.
Thanks to Clio for suggesting Jonathan as our Baby Name of the Day.
I’m sure I’ve read this on more than one message board: “I don’t really like John, but Jonathan is great.”
For generations, John was steadfast and constant, the #1 name for boys born in the US from 1880 through 1923, and a Top Ten staple through 1986. But the mighty, every-boy name has stumbled in recent years, falling to #26 in 2010.
While John was riding high, Jonathan usually stayed in the shadows. He’s charted every year, sure. But he first entered the Top 100 in 1962, and peaked at #15 in 1988. As of last year, Jonathan stands at #28. He’s no longer an also-ran – a gap of only about 400 separates the two.
Meanwhile, the related surname Jackson surpasses both, ranking #25. The same modern moms that dismiss John as too dull find names just a sound or two removed absolutely perfect.
Okay, yes. I hear you. Strictly speaking, John and Jonathan are not related. Instead:
- John comes from the Hebrew Yochanan – Yahweh is gracious;
- Jonathan comes from the equally Hebrew Yehonatan or Yonatan – Yahweh has given;
- Nathan, Nathanael, and Nathaniel are, however, related to Jonathan through the element given.
As for famous bearers of the name:
- Before you’d heard of the buddy film or bromance, Old Testament figures King David and Jonathan were famous friends. Jonathan was a warrior, known for his bravery and loyalty – and a tragic death;
- Several other Biblical figures wore the name;
- Jonathan surfaces with a handful of medieval rulers, around the time of the Crusades;
- The original home of the London Stock Exchange was a coffee house called Jonathan’s, back in the late seventeenth century, named after founder Jonathan Miles;
- The Protestants were known for really reviving Jonathan, and Colonial and early American era figures answer to the name, like Jonathan Trumbull, the only governor of a state before and after the American Revolution;
- Trumbull headed up Connecticut – and the UConn Husky is called Jonathan in his honor. Here’s a trivia bit – Trumbull had a big family, including sons called Jonathan and John;
- Before Uncle Sam, the personification of the US was Brother Jonathan – some link him to Trumbull but that’s probably not the case.
The first Jonathan I think of is Merlin Olsen’s character on Little House on the Prairie, farmer Jonathan Garvey. There’s also 1970 bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a novel about an ambitious bird who decides to fly higher. Still in print four decades later, the slim little volume probably put Jonathan on the radar of many a future parent.
Jonathan has plenty of short forms, from the obvious Jon or Jonny to:
- Jack – Yes, he’s really a nickname for John, and John really has different roots than Jonathan, but no one is going to argue the point. Stargate franchise mainstay Jack O’Neill is actually Jonathan;
- Jono – The cast of the X-Men includes London native Jonothon Starsmore. Even if you keep the conventional Jonathan spelling, Jono feels like a modern alternative, like Nico for Nicholas;
- Jonty – A jaunty short form heard in the UK, but rare in the US;
- Nat, Nate – The middle part of Jonathan lends itself to short forms, too.
Jonathan works well for parents who prefer conservative choices, but want something with a certain versatility. He’s a great way to honor a loved one called John, and in the middle spot, I find him far more interesting than many conventional choices. He’s popular these days, but somehow Jonathan still feels enduring and almost underused amongst boys’ classics.
namegroupie says
November 27, 2011 at 6:48 AMCount me in on those who absolutely detest John, but don’t mind Jonathan.
shellezbellez says
August 2, 2011 at 3:34 AMI love this name…my brother is Jonathan, and that may mean I am biased, but I have always loved it. It’s got an interesting flow and a unusual combination of letters/sounds which is very appealing. Aside from its popularity, it, like Jennifer, is really syntactically unique amongst its peers.
Julie says
August 1, 2011 at 5:41 PMMy associations with Jonathan are pretty diverse: 1. My cousin Jonathan, who is the black sheep of the family. 2. My childhood minister’s youngest son, a stereotypical preacher’s kid… Overly well behaved, responsible and well… boring. I believe he’s become a minister as well.
So either it’s a name for a hell-raiser or a diligent goody-goody. I don’t mind the name, but it’s not for me.
Lady Gwyn says
August 1, 2011 at 1:59 PMI like both Jonathan and John-I find them both appealling. There are several Johns in my family, so using Jonathan would be a nice way to honor them with using the same name. I think I rather like Jono and Jonty as nicknames.
Sarah A says
August 1, 2011 at 1:20 PMJonathan is ok – not really my style but I do prefer him over John. One of the baby daddies on Season 2 of 16 & Pregnant was a Jonathan who went by Jo (yup, that’s the spelling). My first thought is Jonathan Livingston Seagull, so I do like his literary vibe. Also, I agree with Charlotte, it’s nice that there are a few 3-syllable boys names in the Top 50 like Jonathan. All in all, for parents who want a familiar, Top 50, but still old-fashioned name, I think Jonathan is a good choice 🙂
SkyeRhyly says
August 1, 2011 at 11:27 AMI put both Jonathan and John in the same category: boring and way overused. I really don’t see the appeal. I like Nathaniel a bit better, but not Nathan. I guess it’s just not my naming style at all.
cshefchik says
August 1, 2011 at 11:12 AMAs a writer, I tend to think instantly of a trio of young, hip, bestselling New York writers — Jonathan Franzen, Jonathan Lethem, and Jonathan Safran Foer. For whatever reason, it seems that Jonathan is, and will continue to be, a go-to name of choice for parents with literary ambitions for their sons.
Rebekah says
August 1, 2011 at 10:39 AMBecause I have a Jonathan for a cousin, I don’t think I would ever use it personally. But it is a really nice name. It’s something to write in cursive on a cake…
Rebekah says
August 1, 2011 at 10:41 AMOh and I have a brother-in-law named Nathan, so that’s out too.
Charlotte Vera says
August 1, 2011 at 9:05 AMI like Jonathan, I think in part because I tend to prefer more elaborate names to ones of a single syllable. Boys’ names tend to be sparer than girls’, so I think it’s pleasant to see a few longer boys’ names in the top 50. However, the abbreviation Jon makes me think of Garfield’s longsuffering owner: http://garfieldminusgarfield.net//
rockingfetal says
August 1, 2011 at 7:26 AMJohn seems more classic and less boring to me than Jonathan since there are so many in my age bracket. I like Nathaniel much more. I have no love for Nathan though. Funny how different the related names seem to me.
Sarah A says
August 1, 2011 at 1:35 PMI have the same feelings about Nathaniel/Nathan. My BIL and SIL named their 2 month old Nathaniel and I was gutted to learn that they’re calling him Nathan. Apparently they like Nathan better but he was named for a relative on her side whose full name is Nathaniel.
Lola says
August 1, 2011 at 7:21 AMI know a Jonathan who’s a musical fiend, he plays trombone, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, piano & flute. I’ve known him for 18 years (He was 16, I was 24). Really neat dude. But I prefer simple John. Strong, handsome and to the point. Jonathan seems a bit too elaborate a boys name for me, although I have no problem with it for others. Jonathan’s got a nice, swooshy sound and feels strong but give me sweet John.
Lou @ Mer de noms says
August 1, 2011 at 6:15 AMI’ve liked Jonathan ever since I first watched Jonathan Creek, a clever detective show that was on the beeb a few years ago. I think he sits at a nice midway between the serious, old time choice of John and the rather more current Jackson.