Ethan is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "strong" or "firm." It comes from the Hebrew word "eth," which means "strong" or "enduring." In some sources, Ethan is also associated with the Ethiopian ruler Aethiophel, who was mentioned in the Bible.
The name Ethan has gained popularity over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Ethan entered the top 100 most popular boys' names in the year 2000 and has remained there ever since. It peaked at number seven in the years 2007 and 2008.
Historically, Ethan is mentioned several times in the Bible. One of the most notable instances is in the Book of Chronicles, where Ethan is listed as one of the sons of Zobah's king, Hadadezer. In another instance, Ethan is mentioned alongside other wise men like Heman and Calcol during King Solomon's reign.
In literature, Ethan has been used as a character name in works such as "Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton, adding to its familiarity and recognition. However, it's important to note that the use of Ethan in these works does not reflect any specific traits or characteristics associated with the name, but rather serves as a literary device chosen by the authors.
In summary, Ethan is a Hebrew name that means "strong" or "firm." It has gained popularity over time and has biblical roots, appearing several times throughout the Old Testament. Its usage in literature has also contributed to its familiarity.
The name Ethan has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 142 babies being named Ethan between 1989 and 2012, according to the statistics provided.
In 1989, there were 7 newborns named Ethan, which rose to 10 in 1990. The number then fluctuated, with 7 births in 1991, followed by a gap of eight years before another Ethan was born in 1998. Between 1999 and 2006, the number of Ethans being born annually ranged between 5 and 14, with peaks in 2002 (21 births) and 2005 (14 births).
There were two years with notable declines: 2007 had no recorded births named Ethan, and 2009 also saw a significant drop to just one birth. However, the name seemed to recover its popularity in the following years, with 11 births in 2008 and 5 births each in 2010 and 2012.
These statistics demonstrate that while Ethan has been a popular name at times, it has not maintained consistent popularity over the years. Despite this variation, Ethan remains a name that has been given to at least one baby in every year between 1989 and 2012, except for 2007.