Nathaniel

Boys

Best rank #75 (2009) · ranked in 8 years

Nathaniel climbed onto the charts in 2008 and stayed listed for 8 years, topping out at #75 in 2009.

It eased from #77 in 2008 to #97 in 2015.

It does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).

5,426 newborns received the name Nathaniel in 2009, its peak year.

Nathaniel was most popular around 2009, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820122015
  1. 2015974,234
  2. 2014944,317
  3. 2013914,538
  4. 2012844,795
  5. 2011844,980
  6. 2010815,110
  7. 2009755,426
  8. 2008775,858

Similar names

If Nathaniel is on your shortlist, Noah, Nathan, Nicholas are worth a look too, given the similar sound and comparable popularity trends.

Where Nathaniel is most popular

In 2025, Nathaniel was recorded in 47 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 2,556 births nationwide.

The largest share came from California at 453 births, 17.7% of the national total, where it ranked #140 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 41.9% of Nathaniel births, against 16.2% Northeast, 14.2% Midwest, 27.6% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Nathaniel placed as high as #127 in District of Columbia and as low as #614 in Iowa.

The 4 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. 1California453 · #140 there
  2. 2Texas335 · #199 there
  3. 3Florida162 · #244 there
  4. 4New York141 · #251 there
  5. 5North Carolina101 · #229 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast16.2%
  • Midwest14.2%
  • South41.9%
  • West27.6%

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 Nathaniel a popular name?
Nathaniel reached a best rank of #75 in 2009 and has charted in 8 years.
Where does Nathaniel rank now?
Nathaniel does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
Is Nathaniel a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was Nathaniel most popular?
Nathaniel peaked around 2009.

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