Ethan Name Meaning and Origin

Although the name Ethan appears in the Hebrew Bible, it has soared to extreme popularity throughout the 2000s. Ethan was one of the great-grandsons of Jacob, grandson of Judah, father of Azariah, a Kohathite descendant of Levi, and the son of Kushaiah from the Merari clan.

What Does Ethan Mean?

This Ecclesiastic Late Latin name is derived from the Hebrew name Eitan. As per its Latin origins, the meaning of Ethan is ‘firmness,’ ‘enduring,’ or ‘long-lived,’ while it means ‘strong,’ ‘safe,’ ‘firm,’ and ‘solid’ in Hebrew origins. This steadfast and robust character has made it a popular choice as a baby boy name in America in recent years. It is sparingly used in France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries.

Origin

Derived from the Hebrew name Eitan or Ethen, Ethan appears around eight times in the Hebrew Bible. Ethan, the Ezrahite, was supposedly the author of Psalm 89, praised for his wisdom. Consequently, this historic name traveled to America, where the revolutionary patriot and war hero Ethen Allen popularized it after becoming the ‘Green Mountain Boys’ leader.

Gender

Male

Pronunciation

• EE-then (English)
• EH-TAN (French)
• EE-than (English)
• Ee-th(an)

Syllables

2 syllables

Length/Letter

5 letters

Name Variations/Spellings

Name variations are alternate spellings of surnames, abbreviations of first names, and transcription errors. Here are some of the Ethan name variations and other spellings for Ethan that has been found in different languages and cultures:

How Popular Is the Name Ethan?

After being among the top 1,000 most famous names in 1901, it fell off the list until 1952, ranking 996. In 2016, Ethan’s popularity reached the 10th rank for the US boy names. The name has maintained its place in the top 100 most famous names in the United States for over 30 years and the top 20 for the last two decades.

According to 2018 Social Security Administration data, Ethan has remained in the top 20 names since 2001. In 2009 and 2010, it was the second most popular name for boys. Subsequently, it ranked as the 13th most popular name for boys in 2020. Specifically, Tom Cruise’s character in Mission Impossible and other fictional characters in Lizzie McGuire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Lost significantly boosted its popularity.

Interest in Ethan – Worldwide

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Interest for the name Ethan shows a consistent search interest of over 40 for the last 10 years, reaching 100 in December 2015. The lowest scale of popularity was recorded at 44 in June 2012.

Interest in Ethan – US

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As per the search trends, interest for the name Ethan shows a registered search interest of over 40 for the last ten years, reaching 100 in December 2015. It scored the lowest value of 44 in December 2012 and September 2019.

Popularity of name Ethan 

URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Ethan Worldwide

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The United States leads in terms of search trends for the name Ethan in the last ten years. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland follow to complete the Top 5 countries. As a Christian name, Ethan has been immensely popular in the US for parents looking up the Bible for inspiration.

Search trends of Ethan in the US

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Vermont is the sub-region in the US where the most searches for the name Ethan have been recorded the highest over the last ten years. Connecticut, South Dakota, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are the next top 5 cities where search trends for Ethan have been recorded as the highest. However, the difference between the highest search trends in Vermont and that in Connecticut is enormous.

Middle Names That Go With Ethan

A beautiful middle name sounds pleasant between your first name choice and last name choice. Here are some of the best double names with Ethan that fit perfectly with the cadence of the name:

Famous People Named Ethan

Celebrities often have a significant influence on parents while christening their babies with unique names. Here are some of the most famous personalities named Ethan:

Similar Names & Last Names

Baby names like Ethan can have similar-sounding names that can grab equal attention as the forename. Family names for Ethan also play a significant role in making the full name sound mellifluous. Here are some of the other names for Ethan:

Names That Sound Like Ethan

Names that rhyme with Ethan can branch out without straying too far from the classic name. Here are some creative names that have the same chic appeal like Ethan:

Sibling Names Related to Ethan

Sibling names that go with each other follow a theme or take the rhyming route to form a coherent unit. Here are some well-thought-out sister and brother names for Ethan:

Nicknames for Ethan

Nicknames are pet names or diminutive forms of a forename that are more convenient to remember and call. From timeless, quirky, funny, to endearing, here are some of the cutest nicknames for the name Ethan:

Biblical names like Ethan carry a history that can become a part of your own child’s story. If the meaning sounds appealing, no matter how popular or not a name is, it should help build your child’s identity in the later years.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Ethan Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-08-13%202021-08-13&geo=US&q=Ethan
Ethan Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-08-13%202021-08-13&q=Ethan
Ethan Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-08-13%202021-08-13&geo=US&q=Ethan
Ethan Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-08-13%202021-08-13&q=Ethan