Jonathan / Jack?

[WhatAHooHa]

Help! Baby is already a week old and we're going around in circles.

We had originally settled on Jack as a name but now we've met him it just doesn't sit entirely right. Too playful, maybe, for our seriously laid back little lump, though obviously he will change as he gets older!

Ideally we want a name which gives more options as he gets older. I know that Jack is traditionally a nn for John, do you think it is also acceptable as a nickname for Jonathan? Then, depending on how he turns out he could be Jonathan, Jon, Jonny, Jack, J etc...?

We started introducing him to people as Jonathan and, without fail, they've seemed quite taken aback with the name... "oh, that's, er, nice" rather than the usual "what a lovely name" type-response.

So, does anyone else have a Jonathan? Do you just call him Jonathan or has it been shortened? What are the combined mn opinions on Jack being used for a Jonathan?

[jonathanmum]

I've name changed for this as we have a 2yo Jonathan and there aren't many of them under 30 and I don't want to out myself.
We chose Jonathan as we thought it was a classic under used name. We also thought it seemed to cover a range of personalities - Jonny Depp to various news readers. Everyone has been complimentary about it to our face but we definitely haven't started a trend!
Ours is called Jonny 90% of the time although a appreciate it will probably shorten to Jon as he gets older. I have an older DC who has started reception with a "Tommy" which, IMO, is a bit twee for a school boy so DS will be a Jonathan formally when he starts school although I imagine his preschool chums will continue to call him Jonny.
Since he was born, the only Jonathan I have met under 30 was a 4yo and we met him on holiday. I know one 6yo John and a 2yo John. I know umpteen Jacks between about 15 and 1.

[Lunastarfish]

Jonathan is fan but you have missed out the great nn of Jonty!

[wattlegirl]

Please go with Jonathan - it is a handsome name and equally suited to a little boy and a grown man in my humble opinion.

Congratulations and enjoy your little man.

[roastpots]

Jonathan is a fabulous name. My DB is called Jonathan - he has always used the long version which I like but there are nice shortenings for when he's little if you prefer - much more unusual than Jack. Go for it!!

[CormoranStrike]

Brilliant name,muse Jonathan, and all the short forms you suggested work fine.

[squoosh]

I don't like Jonathan at all, it lacks backbone. But Jack or Johnny are nice names and work well as nicknames.

Jonty is horrific.

[Legionofboom]

What squoosh said.

[Leeds2]

I would choose Jack.

[Titsalinabumsquash]

I have a 2 year old Johnathan, he certainly has bags of 'backbone' and personality coming out his ears! His name doesn't really get shortened except by a little one in the family that called him John John because she can't say the full name.

I also have a 10 year old Jack, there are lots of them around and he's also got lots of lovely, big, personality.

[Sophronia]

Jonathan is a great name. I think Jack is fine as a nn for it.

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

I know lots of little Jonathan's. I think it's a great name.

[RRJRJR]

I have a four month year old John.
Husband calls him John, I call him Johnny. It's a classic name which isn't popular right now but that's a good thing as it will be different amongst his peers but still a strong name.
Loads of NN
Jonty, JohnJohn, Johno, Johnny, Jack or John
Think people are a bit surprised when I say the name as its common amongst our age group so therefore not that different or exciting for them to coo over. This is short lived however and a name is for his life and hopefully it gives him options to be more serious (John) or playful (Johnny) as needed. Plus there are loads of great examples of John's out there - John Lennon, Johnny Cash, John Sergeant, Johnny Depp...
Congrats! We also took 10 days to decide / announce. All the best! Let us know what you go with :-)

[bakinggood]

I like Johnathan and also John. stick with it