"permanent, long-lived"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ethan
Pronunciation: [ EETH-uhn ]
Does Ethan flow with your last name?
Old Testament strength with contemporary ease
English
American
Jewish
Christian
Classic
Strong
Modern
Traditional
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Ethan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 478,477 babies have been named Ethan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ethan is past its peak , currently ranked #19 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#19
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2009
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ethan
E
Ethan Hawke
Actor
1970
American actor and director known for Before Sunrise, Training Day, and Boyhood
E
Ethan Coen
Artist
1957
American filmmaker who co-directs with his brother Joel Coen, known for No Country for Old Men and Fargo
E
Ethan Allen
Military
1738
American Revolutionary War hero and leader of the Green Mountain Boys who captured Fort Ticonderoga
E
Ethan Hunt Fictional
Other
Fictional IMF agent protagonist of the Mission: Impossible film series, played by Tom Cruise
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See all →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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Eth
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ethan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ethan is also used as a girl name, ranked #12908.
View Ethan as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Ethan?
Are there other spellings for Ethan?
Related spellings include Ethaniel.
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis