Ethan

Pronunciation: [ EETH-uhn ]

Boy Name #19 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Old Testament strength with contemporary ease

English American Jewish Christian

Classic Strong Modern Traditional Bold

Meaning & Origin

"permanent, long-lived"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

The Story of Ethan

Ethan comes from the Hebrew Eitan, meaning strong, firm, or enduring. In the Hebrew Bible, Ethan the Ezrahite appears as a wise man whose wisdom was surpassed only by Solomon, and Psalm 89 is attributed to him. The name was used by Puritans who valued its Old Testament origins and meaning.

Ethan was a moderately common colonial American name but surged dramatically in the 1990s. By 2002, it had broken into the top 5 in the US, where it remained for over a decade. Ethan Hawke gave the name an artistic, intellectual cool, and the Mission: Impossible franchise's Ethan Hunt added action hero appeal.

Ethan Allen was a Revolutionary War hero and founder of Vermont's Green Mountain Boys. In Jewish tradition, Ethan the Ezrahite was a figure of great wisdom. The name carries strong New England Puritan roots, with the Allen family cementing it as quintessentially American.

Fun Facts

Ethan was a top-5 name in the US for over 10 consecutive years from the early 2000s through mid-2010s
The furniture company Ethan Allen is named after the Revolutionary War hero
Psalm 89 in the Hebrew Bible is attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, one of the wisest men of his era

Ethan in Other Languages

French Ethan

German Ethan

Hebrew אֵיתָן

Italian Etan

Spanish Etán

Famous People Named Ethan

Ethan Hawke

Actor

1970

American actor and director known for Before Sunrise, Training Day, and Boyhood

Ethan Coen

Artist

1957

American filmmaker who co-directs with his brother Joel Coen, known for No Country for Old Men and Fargo

Ethan Allen

Military

1738

American Revolutionary War hero and leader of the Green Mountain Boys who captured Fort Ticonderoga

Ethan Hunt Fictional

Other

Fictional IMF agent protagonist of the Mission: Impossible film series, played by Tom Cruise

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #19
Total SSA Count: 8,170
Cultural Origins: English American Jewish Christian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Ethaniel #4540

Common Nicknames

Eth

Pairs Well With

Ethan James Ethan Cole Ethan Thomas Ethan Alexander Ethan Grey Ethan Joseph Ethan Miles

Sibling Names

Emma Sophia Noah Olivia Lucas Ava Mason

Also a Girl Name

Ethan is also used as a girl name, ranked #12908.

View Ethan as a girl name →

Similar Names

Matthew Owen Mathew Ivan Steven Evans Alden Eben

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan

What does the name Ethan mean?

"permanent, long-lived" (from Hebrew). Ethan comes from the Hebrew Eitan, meaning strong, firm, or enduring. In the Hebrew Bible, Ethan the Ezrahite appears as a wise man whose wisdom was surpassed only by Solomon, and Psalm 89 is attributed to him. The name was used by Puritans who valued its Old Testament origins and meaning.

What is the origin of the name Ethan?

Ethan has Hebrew, English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "permanent, long-lived".

Is Ethan a boy or girl name?

Ethan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #19. As a girl name, it is ranked #12908. Ethan is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Ethan?

Ethan is pronounced EETH-uhn.

How popular is the name Ethan?

Ethan is currently ranked #19 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ethan?

Common nicknames for Ethan include Eth.

What are good middle names for Ethan?

Popular middle name pairings include Ethan James, Ethan Cole, Ethan Thomas, Ethan Alexander, Ethan Grey, Ethan Joseph, and Ethan Miles.

What are good sibling names for Ethan?

Names that pair well with Ethan as siblings include Emma, Sophia, Noah, Olivia, Lucas, Ava, and Mason.

How many syllables does Ethan have?

Ethan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Ethan a common or rare name?

Ethan is a very popular name, ranked #19 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Ethan

Ethan is a boy name with English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "permanent, long-lived" in Hebrew .

Is Ethan a boy or girl name? Ethan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #19 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,908. Ethan is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ethan is currently ranked #19 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ethan has 2 syllables and is pronounced EETH-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ethan include Eth. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Ethan include Ethaniel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.