Nathanel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	12	1	–	#3,846
1920s	91	9	+658%	#2,285
1930s	64	6	-30%	#2,421
1940s	21	2	-67%	#2,875
1950s	16	2	-24%	#3,707
1960s	6	1	-62%	#3,938
1970s	47	5	+683%	#3,739
1980s	116	12	+147%	#2,782
1990s	150	15	+29%	#3,161
2000s	241	24	+61%	#2,535
2010s	104	10	-57%	#5,179
2020s (to 2025)	17	3	-73%	#11,592

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,846

1920s

+658%

#2,285

1930s

-30%

#2,421

1940s

-67%

#2,875

1950s

-24%

#3,707

1960s

-62%

#3,938

1970s

+683%

#3,739

1980s

116

+147%

#2,782

1990s

150

+29%

#3,161

2000s

241

+61%

#2,535

2010s

104

-57%

#5,179

2020s (to 2025)

-73%

#11,592

The story of Nathanel

Nathanel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,592 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1917, 885 American babies have been named Nathanel. Its peak came in 2002, when 39 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nathanel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Nathanel?

The median living Nathanel is about 25 years old; half are between 18 and 37. An estimated 700 people named Nathanel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Nathanel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	6	#11,592
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	6	#11,872
2021	–	–
2020	5	#13,470
2019	7	#10,482
2018	7	#10,406
2017	11	#7,399
2016	5	#13,610
2015	10	#7,877
2014	8	#9,369
2013	9	#8,570
2012	12	#6,911
2011	17	#5,360
2010	18	#5,179
2009	24	#4,240
2008	30	#3,625
2007	20	#4,753
2006	25	#3,963
2005	19	#4,588
2004	20	#4,372
2003	28	#3,340
2002	39	#2,535
2001	22	#3,809
2000	14	#5,240
1995	11	#5,402
1990	15	#3,906
1985	13	#3,539
1980	8	#4,813
1975	7	#4,643
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	5	#4,217
1950	5	#4,042
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	8	#2,875
1930	7	#3,496
1925	8	#3,320
1920	13	#2,418
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Nathanel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Nathanel?

The median living Nathanel is about 25 years old. Half of all living Nathanels are between 18 and 37 years old.

How many people named Nathanel are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Nathanel are alive in the United States, based on 885 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Nathanel in 2025?

Nathanel ranked #11,592 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Nathanel?

885 babies have been named Nathanel in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nathanel most popular?

Nathanel peaked in 2002, when 39 newborns received the name.

Is Nathanel a boy or girl name?

Nathanel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Nathanel rising or falling?

Nathanel is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Nathanel

Nathanel popularity over time

The story of Nathanel

How old are people named Nathanel?

Nathanel year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Nathanel