Nathan

American

[ney-thuhn] / ˈneɪ θən /

noun

(in the Bible) a prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon.
George Jean, 1882–1958, U.S. drama critic, author, and editor.
Robert, 1894–1985, U.S. novelist and poet.
a male given name.

Nathan British

/ ˈneɪθən /

noun

Old Testament a prophet at David's court (II Samuel 7:1–17; 12:1–15)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Nathan

Ultimately from Hebrew Nāthān “he (God) gave”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There’s just a general level of uncertainty right now around what central bank policy looks like across the globe,” said Nathan Thooft, chief investment officer of equities and multiasset solutions at Manulife Investment Management.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Nathan Chandler made lots of progress as a freshman.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2026

Nathan Patterson struggles to get game time with Everton.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

“While one supply shock is abating, another one may be around the corner,” economists at the New York-based investment bank, led by Nathan Sheets, wrote in a note on Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026

On the walls, Nali had hung photos of Nathan, his father, and Uncle Jet.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023