Yonatan
MeaningGod has given · Tigrinya
Yonatan is an African boy name meaning “God has given”, with Tigrinya roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationYonatan peaked in 2001, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Yonatan you'd meet today is about 24 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Yonatan would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 38,023 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryYonatan first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Yonatan
Yonatan is a boy name of African origin meaning “God has given”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Yonatan
What does the name Yonatan mean?
Yonatan means “God has given” and comes from Tigrinya. Names built around “God” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Theodore (“gift of God”), Elijah (“my God is Yahweh”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Elias (“my God is Yahweh”).
What is the origin of the name Yonatan?
Yonatan is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Tigrinya. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Yonatan a boy or girl name?
Yonatan is a boy name. In 2025, 45 US boys were named Yonatan.
How popular is the name Yonatan?
Yonatan ranked #2,798 for US boys in 2025, given to 45 babies. Its best year was 2001, when it reached #1,357. Over the last five years it has slipped 70 places.
What names are similar to Yonatan?
If you like Yonatan, you might also like Theodore, Elijah, Mateo and Elias.
What should I know before naming my baby Yonatan?
Yonatan is an African boy name meaning “God has given”, with Tigrinya roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.