Ethan

“Firm, strong, or long-lived” — Hebrew origin

Boy's name · #24 in the US (2025) · 2000s

Ethan reached its best rank, #2, in 2009 and remains near the top at #24 today. In just three years its births jumped from about 660 in 1987 to 7,000 in 1990. The surge coincided with Paradise, featuring Ethan Allen Cord, arriving on television in 1988 and Ethan Hawke’s breakthrough in Dead Poets Society in 1989. Popular twin pairings with Ethan include Evan, Aiden, and Nathan for boys, and Emma, Emily, and Ella for girls.

Around the world: #7 in Philippines (2024) · #9 in Puerto Rico (2025) · #15 in Canada (2024) · #30 in France (2025) · #32 in New Zealand (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 51 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Ethans

Ethan Hawke — American actor and writer (born 1970)
Ethan Ampadu — Welsh association football player
Ethan Suplee — American actor
Ethan Nwaneri — English association football player (born 2007)
Ethan Allen — American general, writer and philosopher (1738–1789)

In stories & tradition

Ethan Hunt — Mission: Impossible · Mission: Impossible 2
Ethan Winters — Resident Evil 7: Biohazard · Resident Evil Village
Ethan Rom — Lost

What Ethans become

Among 676 notable people named Ethan:

Sports figures appear 2.63× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ethan Ampadu, Welsh association football player.

Similar names: Eithan · Caleb · Isaiah · Nathan · Ian · Evan

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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