Nathaniel is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Netan'el" meaning "gift of God". In the Bible, Nathaniel was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is also mentioned in the Gospel of John as one of the first disciples to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and has remained popular throughout the centuries. It has been given to notable figures in literature, music, and politics, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Nathaniel Banks.
Nathaniel rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Nathaniel
| Nate | nayt | A common shortening of Nathaniel |
| Nathan | nay-thun | A popular and straightforward nickname for Nathaniel |
| Nat | nat | A simple and classic nickname for Nathaniel |
| Natty | nat-ee | A playful and affectionate nickname for Nathaniel |
| Than | than | A unique and modern nickname for Nathaniel |
| Thaniel | thay-nee-ul | A creative and distinctive nickname for Nathaniel |
Famous people named Nathaniel
| Nathaniel Hawthorne | Writing | American novelist and short story writer |
| Nathaniel Bowditch | Navigation | American mathematician and navigator |
| Nathaniel Bacon | Revolutionary | Leader of Bacon's Rebellion in colonial Virginia |
| Nathaniel Branden | Psychology | Canadian psychotherapist and author |
| Nathaniel Clyne | Football | English professional footballer |
| Nathaniel Currier | Art | American lithographer who founded Currier and Ives |
| Nathaniel Gorham | Politics | American politician and Founding Father who signed the US Constitution |
| Nathaniel Mayer | Music | American rhythm and blues singer |
| Nathaniel Parker | Acting | English stage and screen actor |
| Nathaniel Philbrick | History | American author and historian who specializes in maritime history and the American Revolution |
Fictional character called Nathaniel from pop culture
| Nathaniel Archibald | Gossip Girl | A wealthy and popular character from the TV series Gossip Girl |
| Nathaniel Ayers | The Soloist | A homeless musician and the main character in the book and movie The Soloist |
| Nathaniel Barnes | Gotham | A former marine and captain of the Gotham City Police Department in the TV series Gotham |
| Nathaniel Fisher | Six Feet Under | The deceased patriarch of the Fisher family and a main character in the TV series Six Feet Under |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Ford | Leverage | The leader of a team of con artists in the TV series Leverage |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Heywood | Legends of Tomorrow | A historian and member of the superhero team in the TV series Legends of Tomorrow |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Kulina | Kingdom | A talented MMA fighter and the son of the owner of the gym in the TV series Kingdom |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Wright | Big Nate | The main character in the comic strip and book series Big Nate |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Cooper | Home and Away | A character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away |
| Nathaniel "Nate" Scarborough | Sweet Magnolias | A love interest of one of the main characters in the TV series Sweet Magnolias |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nathaniel
| What is the meaning of the name Nathaniel? | The name Nathaniel means 'gift of God'. |
| Is Nathaniel a popular name? | Nathaniel has been a consistently popular name in the United States, ranking in the top 100 baby names since the 1980s. |
| What are some famous people with the name Nathaniel? | Famous people named Nathaniel include Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American author, and Nathaniel Rateliff, an American singer-songwriter. |
| What are some common nicknames for Nathaniel? | Common nicknames for Nathaniel include Nate, Nat, and Nathan. |
| Is Nathaniel a gender-neutral name? | No, Nathaniel is a masculine name. |