Yonatan

Yonatan is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, commonly transliterated from יונתן. It is the Hebrew form of Jonathan and shares the meaning “Yahweh has given” or “God has given,” from the root natan meaning “to give” with a divine prefix.

In the Hebrew Bible, the name appears as Yehonatan or Yonatan, most notably as the son of King Saul and as a loyal ally of David. The biblical association contributes to its continued use in Jewish and Israeli contexts, where the name is valued for its antiquity and religious resonance. In modern usage, Yonatan is one of several Hebrew forms corresponding to the English name Jonathan.

Variants and related forms include Yehonatan, Yonatan, Yonathan, Jonatan, and Jonathan. Diminutives or affectionate forms used in Hebrew-speaking communities include Yoni.

Notable people with the name include Yonatan Netanyahu (1929–1976), an Israeli military officer who was killed during Operation Entebbe and who was the brother of Benjamin Netanyahu. The name remains common in Israel and among Jewish diaspora communities, reflecting its biblical roots and cultural significance. In English-speaking contexts, the spelling Jonathan is more common, while Yonatan is used to preserve the original Hebrew form.

See also: Jonathan (name).