Nathanael is a biblical given name derived from the Hebrew נְתַנְאֵל (Netan'el), which means "God/El has given" or "Gift of God/El.

In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the name is shared by a prince (or chieftain) of the Tribe of Issachar (Numbers 7:18–23, in the Naso parsha)[2] and by a brother of King David (1 Chronicles 2:14).

[3] In the New Testament, Nathanael is said to be an early follower of Jesus of Nazareth, according to the Gospel of John (1:45; 21:2).

The related name Elnathan could be rendered "Gift of El" (Hebrew God).

A similar ancient name with the same meaning as Elnathan, is Jonathan which signifies "YHWH has given".