Ethan - Meaning of Ethan |
What does Ethan mean?
[ 2 syll. et-han, eth-an ] The baby boy name Ethan is pronounced in English as IY-THahN †. Ethan's language of origin is Hebrew, and it is predominantly used in English and Hebrew. Ethan is of the meaning 'enduring, long-lived'. It is a biblical name derived literally from the word ethan with the meaning 'enduring'. An original form of the name is Eythan (Hebrew). The name was borne in the Bible by four minor characters, most notably Ethan the Ezrahite, who was described as a man whom only King Solomon surpassed in wisdom. The name was adopted modestly by English Puritans in the 17th century. Its popularity in the USA received a boost from the fame of Ethan Allen (1738-1789) the American revolutionary and hero. It has also seen a revival as a modern Hebrew first name and surname. In literature, the name has been borne by the central character in Edith Wharton's novel Ethan Frome (1911).
The name Ethan is widely used; it has 29 derivatives that are used in English and foreign languages. English derivatives include Aiton, Eathan, Eathen, Eathon, Eathyn, Efan, Efen, Effen, Effin, Effon, Efon, Eithan, Eithen, Eithin, Eithon, Eithun, Eithyn, Etan (used in Hebrew too), Ethe, Ethen, Ethian, Ethin, Ethon, Ethun, Ethyn, Eytan, Eythan, and Eythin. The Hebrew Eitan is a derivative of Ethan that is used in foreign languages.
Ethan is a very popular baby name for boys. The name has been growing in popularity since the 1950s. Its usage peaked in 2002 with 1.071% of baby boys being named Ethan. Its ranking then was #5. In 2011, it ranked at #7 with a usage of 0.823%, and it was the most popular among all boy names in its group. Ethan was used 87 times more than the next ranked name, Ethen, in 2011.
Baby names that sound like Ethan include Eithan, Eithen, Eithon, Eadan, Eaden, Eadon, Eadwen, Eadwin, Eadwinn, Eadwyn, Eataun, Eatawn, Eaton, Eatton, Eatun, Edam, Edan, Eden, Edim, and Edom.
† Pronunciation for Ethan: IY as in "eat (IY.T)" ; TH as in "theme (TH.IY.M)" ; AH as in "mud (M.AH.D)" ; N as in "knee (N.IY)"
Details of famous persons named Ethan:
Actor Ethan Hawke, born 6 November 1970, Austin, Texas.
Filmmaker Ethan Coen, born 21 September 1957, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Revolutionary Ethan Allen, born January 10, 1738 - February 12, 1789, Litchfield, Connecticut.
