Dathan
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,563 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
plural of dath
Dathan is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'belonging to a spring' or possibly 'law' — from the Hebrew dat. In the Old Testament, Dathan was one of the Israelites who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron.
The name's biblical pedigree makes it recognizable in religious communities, while its rarity outside those circles gives it an ancient, distinguished feel. Its two strong syllables — DAY-than — give it a memorable rhythm.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Dathan belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Dathan’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dathan was #3894 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8441, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 45 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 221 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 419 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 273 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 249 | — |
| 1970s | 269 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 16 | — |
The Story of Dathan
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Dathan is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Dathan are most likely born between 1995 and 2015.
How rare is Dathan?
Only about 1 in every 400,000 babies born in 2024 was named Dathan — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1958, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 419 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dathan by the numbers
- Would fill 33 school buses
- Meeting one Dathan per day would take 4.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(65 years, 1958–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | #8441 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8398 |
| 2022 | 5 | #12760 |
| 2021 | 10 | #7726 |
| 2020 | 12 | #6720 |
| 2019 | 18 | #5205 |
| 2018 | 9 | #8306 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6111 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4503 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6761 |
| 2014 | 19 | #4921 |
| 2013 | 22 | #4356 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3246 |
| 2011 | 38 | #3008 |
| 2010 | 33 | #3326 |
| 2009 | 45 | #2713 |
| 2008 | 38 | #3065 |
| 2007 | 44 | #2729 |
| 2006 | 45 | #2627 |
| 2005 | 53 | #2247 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dathan a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dathan most popular?
How popular is the name Dathan?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1958–2024