[2][3] The earliest known use of the name was in the Bible; one Jonathan was the son of King Saul, a close friend of David.

Variants of Jonathan include Jonatan, Djonathan.

Biblical variants include Yehonathan, Y'honathan, Yhonathan, Yonathan, Yehonatan, Yonatan, Yonaton, Yonoson, Yeonoson or Yehonasan.

In Israel, "Yoni" is a common nickname for Yonatan (Jonathan) in the same way Jonny is in English.

[4] The name was the 31st-most-popular boys' name in the United States in 2011, according to the SSA.