Origin and Meaning of the Name Ethan

The name Ethan is a good choice for your baby. It has several meanings, among them, "strong", "confident", "impetuous", and "constant".
Origin and Meaning of the Name Ethan

Last update: 07 September, 2022

Are you expecting a baby boy and don’t know what to name him? Choose a beautiful name that has a beautiful sound and a very special story. In this article, we’ll tell you the origin and meaning of the name Ethan, an option that’s usually worn by strong and determined men.

This elegant name shows the inspiring strength of Ethan’s personality: Firm, proud, determined, and capable of achieving their goals. We invite you to learn more!

Find out the origin and meaning of the name Ethan

Ethan, Eitan, Eytan, Etan (in Hebrew), or Eithan means ‘strong’, ‘firm’, ‘sure’, ‘impetuous’, and ‘constant’. The following phrase is also added to define him: ‘Man who was born to be strong and proud’. The truth is that the variety of meanings that this name has is amazing.

Ethan has a biblical Hebrew origin and comes from the word Êthân, which means ‘hard’ and ‘solid’. Subsequently, the name Izán arose, which is a graphic adaptation to Spanish of the English pronunciation of Ethan.

The most commonly used form of the name is the variant Ethan, and its use became popular in the 1980s due to the influence of the actor Ethan Hawke. At the same time, the fact that the main character of the Mission Impossible saga, played by Tom Cruise, was named Ethan Hunt, played a major role.

Ethan is a name that’s widely used in the United States, where it has gained a prominent place in the preference of parents.

Tom Cruise playing Ethan in Mission Impossible.
Tom Cruise personified agent Hunt in the Mission Impossible saga. The character’s first name is Ethan.

Ethan’s Personality

It’s said that children named Eithan have a strong and determined personality, that they strive to achieve their goals, and that they always work with the best attitude. Moreover, they’re open-minded, see life in a positive way, and, far from problems, always look for solutions. In this sense, they know how to achieve what they want through perseverance and are adaptable to any situation.

Among Ethan’s qualities, he stands out for his ability to communicate. He’s sociable, friendly, and charismatic. Also, he has an innate capacity for leadership, firm convictions from a very young age, self-confidence, and great dignity.

Famous people with the name Ethan

The name Ethan predominates among the names of famous people dedicated to the world of arts and sports. Let’s see who they are in this list:

  • Eithan Urbach: Is a retired Israeli swimmer who specialized in backstroke events. He represented Israel at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
  • Ethan Hawke: Oscar-nominated American actor, writer, and director.
  • Ethan Coen: American filmmaker who, along with his brother Joel, is the winner of four Oscars, two BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe.
  • Ethan Embry: His real name is Ethan Philan MacGiver Randall. He’s an American film actor known for his participation in several feature films.
  • Ethan Finlay: American soccer player. He plays as a winger and currently belongs to the Austin Football Club of Major League Soccer.
  • Ethan Wayne: His real name is John Ethan Morrison. He’s an American actor, son of the famous John Wayne.
  • Ethan White: Former American soccer player. He last played for New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
  • Ethan Westbrooks: American soccer player. He plays as a defender for the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League.
Actor Ethan Hawk.
The American actor, Ethan Hawke, was one of those responsible for this name reaching great popularity starting in the 80’s.

Ethan, born to be strong and proud

Surely, your wish is that your son becomes the strength and pride of your home. If so, you’ll love Ethan because of its special meaning. Give him an elegant and beautiful name, but at the same time, one that’s strong, original, and full of personality. It will be the first gift you dedicate to your unborn baby.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Albaigès, J. M., & Albaigès i Olivart, J. (1993). Diccionario de nombres de personas. Edicions Universitat Barcelona. https://books.google.es/books?hl=es&lr=&id=A_KHaYiixzwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA14&dq=diccionario+de+nombres+de+personas&ots=-J8s5er95k&sig=d4lzvAZvFg5C9JbipnmU5RXa5Eg#v=onepage&q=diccionario%20de%20nombres%20de%20personas&f=false
  • Tuan, L. (2021). El gran libro de los nombres en 5 idiomas. De Vecchi Ediciones. https://books.google.at/books?id=H2dNEAAAQBAJ https://books.google.es/books?hl=es&lr=&id=H2dNEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT4&dq=el+libro+de+los+nombres&ots=0l0VRYPFpP&sig=38EFKJDf1tYNZprCMsiERp3SUsM#v=onepage&q=el%20libro%20de%20los%20nombres&f=false
  • de Historia y Heráldica Familiar, I. (2019). Nombre Ethan. Instituto de Historia y Heráldica Familiar. Consultado 23 de abril de 2023. https://www.heraldicafamiliar.com/nombre-ethan/
  • Albaigès, Josep Maria. (2016). El libro de los nombres de niño y niña: Su origen, historia y significado. Molino.
  • Social Security Administration EE. UU. (n.d.). Popularidad del nombre Eithan. Consultado 23 de abril de 2023. https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.