Nathan

Boys

Best rank #30 (2008) · ranked in 15 years

First charting in 2008, Nathan peaked at #30 in 2008.

It eased from #30 in 2008 to #95 in 2022.

The latest tally (2025) shows no ranking for Nathan in the top spots.

13,276 newborns received the name Nathan in 2008, its peak year.

Nathan was most popular around 2008, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820152022
  1. 2022955,550
  2. 2021985,438
  3. 2020855,702
  4. 2019846,090
  5. 2018726,860
  6. 2017647,450
  7. 2016618,006
  8. 2015568,609
  9. 2014539,006
  10. 2013429,730
  11. 20123910,447
  12. 20113810,534
  13. 20103611,389
  14. 20093312,152
  15. 20083013,276

Similar names

Noah, Nicholas, Naomi stand out as close matches to Nathan, tracking a similar sound or popularity window. See how their rankings compare below.

Where Nathan is most popular

In 2025, Nathan was recorded in 49 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 4,969 births nationwide.

The largest share came from California at 762 births, 15.3% of the national total, where it ranked #63 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 42.2% of Nathan births, against 18.7% Northeast, 14.1% Midwest, 25.1% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Nathan placed as high as #48 in Maryland and as low as #480 in North Dakota.

The 2 jurisdictions without a figure are not zeros. SSA withholds any name with fewer than 5 occurrences in a given state and year to protect privacy.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1California762 · #63 there
  2. 2Texas683 · #66 there
  3. 3Florida394 · #69 there
  4. 4New York329 · #77 there
  5. 5New Jersey199 · #54 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast18.7%
  • Midwest14.1%
  • South42.2%
  • West25.1%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is Nathan a popular name?
Nathan reached a best rank of #30 in 2008 and has charted in 15 years.
Where does Nathan rank now?
Nathan does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
Is Nathan a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was Nathan most popular?
Nathan peaked around 2008.

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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)