Boy Old Testament Rare
Ethan
strong; the gift of the island
אֵיתָן e.tan
Ethan (Hebrew: אֵיתָן, e.tan) means “strong; the gift of the island”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2025 it was given to 7,859 children in the United States, ranking 24. Use is falling away. Around 488,144 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abdi in 1 Chronicles 6.
Which Ethan?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Ethan
son of Zerah
-
Ethan
-
Ethan
-
Ethan
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 9 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 7,859 | Falling |
| All-time total | 488,144 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 22,336 in 2004 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Kings 4:31 |
| Last appears | Psalms 89:1 |
| Cross-references | 127 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Calcol co-occurrence Appears with Calcol in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Darda co-occurrence Appears with Darda in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Kishi co-occurrence Appears with Kishi in 1 Chronicles 6.
- Mahol co-occurrence Appears with Mahol in 1 Kings 4.
- Azariah co-occurrence Appears with Azariah in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Malluch co-occurrence Appears with Malluch in 1 Chronicles 6.
- Dara co-occurrence Appears with Dara in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Shimei co-occurrence Appears with Shimei in 1 Chronicles 6.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.6;
son of: Zerah (H2226I);
brother of: Zabdi (H2067), Heman (H1968H), Calcol (H3633H) and Dara (H1873);
father of: Azariah (H5838I)
§ Ethan = "enduring"
1) an Ezrahite known for his wisdom
2) a grandson of Judah, father of Azariah
3) a Kohathite descendant of Levi
4) a Merarite son of Kushaiah, descendant of Levi
Ethan was a son of Zerah and a grandson of Judah.
The biblical story
Ethan was one of the five sons of Zerah, who was a son of Judah (1Ch.2.6). He was a grandson of Judah and is mentioned in the genealogy of Judah's descendants (1Ch.2.8).
Key verses
Ethan appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.
1 Chronicles 2:6 -
And the sons of Ethan; Azariah.
1 Chronicles 2:8
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 2:6
- 1 Chronicles 2:8