Nathaniel

Nathaniel is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from Netan'el, meaning "God has given" or "gift of God." In the Bible, Nathanael appears as a Galilean in the Gospel of John; in some traditions he is identified with Bartholomew. The name has appeared in various spellings, including Nathanael, Nathanel, and Nathanaël, and in English as Nathaniel, with the diminutives Nathan, Nate, and Nat.

Variants are common across languages: French Nathanaël, Spanish Natán or Natániel, Dutch Nathanael, and German Nathanael. In English, longer form Nathaniel is often shortened to Nathan or Nate, or used with the older form as the full name. The name is predominantly male and remains in occasional use in many Christian communities.

Notable people named Nathaniel include American author Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) and navigator and mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch (1773–1834). In modern times, writers and public figures with the name include Nathaniel Rich, journalist and author, and Nathaniel Philbrick, a historian. The name has also appeared in literature and film as a choice for fictional characters.

Today, Nathaniel continues to be used primarily in English-speaking countries, with usage varying by region and era. Its long biblical heritage and literary associations have contributed to its enduring, though moderate, popularity.