Nethan
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 115 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 6 letters and two syllables, Nethan hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 2002, with 115 total recorded births.
Currently ranked #6693, Nethan is familiar enough that people will recognize it but not so common that your child shares it with three classmates.
In the most recent SSA release, Nethan ranks #6693 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Nethan is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a contracted form of Nathan or Nathaniel — from the Hebrew meaning 'God has given' or 'he gave.' Nathan was the prophet who confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba, one of the Hebrew Bible's most courageous acts.
Nethan carries the prophetic courage and spiritual meaning of Nathan in a compact two-syllable form that feels both ancient and modern. It has the spare dignity of names worn by men of principle.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Nethan's final sounds are clean, contemporary — among the most common endings in modern American names. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Nethan softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Nethan's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nethan has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2002.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 31 | #10637 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 52 | #11312 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 32 | #11360 | — |
The Story of Nethan
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Nethan is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Nethan are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Nethan?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Nethan — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2002, peaked in the 2010s with 52 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Nethan by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 2002–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6693 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11833 |
| 2022 | 7 | #10538 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13482 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11733 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10415 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13671 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8614 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13450 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10407 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10436 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11766 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8120 |
| 2008 | 5 | #14010 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11623 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12776 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10273 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2002–2024