Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Nathan.
National Rank (2025)
#63
All-Time Peak Rank
#20 (2004)
Total U.S. Births
587,497
Unisex Distribution99.7% Boy / 0.3% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Nathan Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind Nathan
According to SSA data, Nathan achieved its highest historical rank of #20 in 2004. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2004 with 14,634 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 42.2%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Nathan scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Declining
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-42.2% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record14,634Births in 2004
Years in Top 100
54yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityModerately Volatile
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:1,106
1890s:1,180
1900s:1,616
1910s:7,132
1920s:6,715
1930s:4,699
1940s:5,577
1950s:10,126
1960s:15,524
1970s:65,857
1980s:105,987
1990s:107,332
2000s:134,857
2010s:88,034
2020s:31,755
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesNat-han
Letter Count6 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with N, a letter used by only 3.6% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Nathan? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics