Boy name
Nathaniel
As of 2025, Nathaniel ranks #140 among American boys' names, according to Social Security records. 2,565 boys received the name that year. Popularity is fading: #125 five years ago, #140 now. SSA records for Nathaniel go back to 1880; the peak came in 1998 at #60, with 6,427 babies named that year. Geographically, it's strongest in District of Columbia, where it ranks #66 among boy names.
Rankings
2025 rank
#140
among boy names
Trend
Falling
last 5 years
All-time peak
#60
in 1998 (1990s)
Babies in 2025
2,565
boys named Nathaniel
Nathaniel popularity, 1880–2025
Where Nathaniel is most popular
Share of boys born in 2025:lowhighno data (< 5 births)
Strongest states: District of Columbia (#66), North Dakota (#120), Montana (#127)
Uniqueness score
23/ 100Very common
everywhereone of a kind
A familiar pick that most people will recognize instantly. Based on how many babies per birth were named Nathaniel in the most recent year of SSA data.