A Hebrew form of Nathanael meaning "God has given."
Natanel (נַתַנְאֵל) is the original Hebrew form of the name more commonly anglicized as Nathaniel or Nathanael, meaning "God has given" — a compound of "natan" (to give) and "El" (God). It is among the most theologically direct names in the Hebrew tradition, expressing gratitude for a child as a divine gift. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as Nethanel, borne by several figures including a son of Zuar who served as a leader of the tribe of Issachar during the Exodus.
In the New Testament, the Apostle known as Bartholomew is believed by many scholars to be the same person as Nathanael of Cana, who appears in the Gospel of John (1:45–51). Jesus greets him with striking words — "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit" — making Nathanael a figure associated with sincerity and authenticity. This apostolic connection gave the name lasting significance throughout Christian Europe, while its Hebrew origin kept it equally central in Jewish communities.
Natanel, as distinct from the anglicized Nathaniel, has seen renewed use in Israel and among Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish families worldwide who prefer the original Hebrew pronunciation. It represents a quiet but meaningful turn toward linguistic authenticity — an embrace of the name as it sounded in the ancient world, unmediated by centuries of translation and transliteration.