Jonathan
Encyclopedia : J : JO : JON : Jonathan
Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן / יוֹנָתָן "Whom the LORD gave", Standard Hebrew Yonatan/Yəhonatan, Tiberian Hebrew Yəhônāṯān) was a prince of the Kingdom of Israel, son of King Saul, and beloved of the subsequent King David (see David and Jonathan). Contrary to popular belief, most biblical chronologists believe him to be far older than David, approximately fifty years to David's twenty. He was killed along with his father at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. Jonathan was also the name of one son of Jada. See 1 Chronicles 2:32-33.
Jonathan is a common given name. Nicknames include Jon or Jonny/Jonni/Johnny, Jonno/Jono or Jonty and less frequently Nathan or Nate. Common alternative spellings of Jonathan include Jonathon, Johnathan, and Johnathon. The name became closely associated with all-American wholesomeness in the 1950s when it was frequently incorporated into song lyrics referencing romantic interests of the song's protagonist. ("Johnny Angel", "It's My Party")
Jonathan is not a variation of John, but a longer version of Nathan. It simply means "gift." Jon is a nickname for Jonathan which has become popular on its own. Therefore, Jon is very often, but not always, short for Jonathan, whereas John, which has a different origin, is not.
Names with similar meanings include Theodore in Greek and Bogdan in Slavonic.
The Jonathan is also a variety of apple.
Brother Jonathan was a national personification of America, used mostly during the Revolutionary War but occasionally in the Civil War era. The character has been largely replaced by Uncle Sam.
In France the name day for Jonathan is 1st March.
Famous Jonathans (or Johnathons)
- Jonathan Ross - TV presenter
- Jonathan Swift - Author of Gulliver's Travels
- Jonathan Walker - American reformer.
- Jonathan Pryce - Famous Welsh actor
- Jonathan Wild - Famous criminal of London during the 18th century*
- Jonathan Winters - World renown standup comedian since 1948 who was the Truck driver in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
- Jonathan Bender - Former 7'1" SF for the Indiana Pacers
- Jonathan Wendel - Professional electronic sports player who has won over USD 500,000 in cash and prizes from professional competitions, mainly in the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL).
- Jonathan Taylor Thomas - Famous Early 90's mid 90's child star and Randy Taylor on the popular television show Home Improvement
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull - The seagull who is learning about life and flight.
- Jonathan Miller - A British physician, theatre and opera director and television presenter.
- Jonathan Jones - A United Kingdom journalist and art critic who has been writing for The Guardian since 1999.
- Jonathan Smith - American rapper best known by his stage name as "Lil' Jon."
- Jonathan Myrick Daniels - Martyred American Civil-Rights Advocate
- Jonathan Cheechoo - Plays for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL
- Jonathan Harris - Stage and character actor best known for his TV work as Bradford Webster in The Third Man and Dr. Zachary Smith in Lost in Space.
- Jonathan Byrd (golfer) - PGA golfer who was the 2002 rookie of the year.
- Jonathan Byrd - American singer-songwriter best known for his narative tales of love, life, and death in America.
- The Amazing Johnathan - A famous magician, friend of Criss Angel.
- Jonathan Papelbon - A pitcher in Major League Baseball who has been a reliever and spot starter for the Boston Red Sox since 2005 and the closer since 2006.
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