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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Will Natalie be shortened to Nat?

63 replies

nike0828 · 06/07/2021 01:10

If you met a baby or girl named Natalie, would you call her by her full name or Nat? I don’t hate people occasionally calling her Nat but prefer the whole name or a nickname “Allie” from the last 4 letters if she needs something shorter.

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FayeFayeFayeFayeFaye · 06/07/2021 18:02

The Natalie’s I know are called Nat.

Palmatree · 06/07/2021 10:56

I know two Natalies and one Natalija - all go by their full names, so I think you're safe. I don't think Nat is a particularly nice or very common nn. I know four Natashas, which could also easily be shortened to Nat, but one goes by her full name, mostly, and the other three use Tash or Tasha.

BunnyRuddington · 06/07/2021 09:17

I've known two, one was always called Nat and the other is called Nutty Natty by all her friends and family.

The trouble with names is, you don't have much control over how people shorten it.

QueenAdreena · 06/07/2021 09:17

Natalie was a very popular name when I was at school, there were quite a few in my year. They were all shortened to Nat. But I think it’s very underused these days, Natalie is lovely.

Els1e · 06/07/2021 09:13

I know a Natalie who is called Tilly. I think it’s a lovely name.

Backhills · 06/07/2021 09:00

It seems to be shortened to Natz round here.

I've never heard Natalie shortened to Allie.

BikeRunSki · 06/07/2021 09:00

I know a few, mostly Nat, one is Talie

Carrotgarrotte · 06/07/2021 08:57

Definitely Nat

SpiderinaWingMirror · 06/07/2021 08:52

Yep.
I have known loads but all of them at Nat.

princesspenny · 06/07/2021 08:48

I'm a Natalie and I've never ever been called Allie! I get called 'Nicola' a lot for some reason though 🙄

Happy36 · 06/07/2021 08:44

I think Natalie is a really beautiful name.

Happy36 · 06/07/2021 08:44

Our nicknames tend to be given to us by those close to us and, in my experience, can't really be predicted.

I worked with a Natalie for years who was always Natalie. One of my siblings has a close friend who has always been Nats.

When your daughter is little, you can call her as you wish, of course, but as she grows older her friends or siblings may use nicknames.

Maggiesfarm · 06/07/2021 08:43

@LizziesTwin

Do you like Natasha - can be shortened to Tasha, Tashy or Nashy.
Yes! Though you weren't asking me :). I do like Natasha, it is a 'pet' name for Natalya (Russian).
Borland · 06/07/2021 08:43

Natalia is a nicer sounding name and usually gets shortened to Talia/Tali.

BaggoMcoys · 06/07/2021 08:43

I know/have known three Natalie's. Two mostly use their full name and occasionally get shortened to Nat by others, one goes by Tilly/Tillie and I was surprised to find out it was short for Natalie.

Maggiesfarm · 06/07/2021 08:40

I like names that can be shortened. Nicknames are friendly.

Howshouldibehave · 06/07/2021 08:40

The ones I’ve known have always been Nat or Na-a-lee (imagine an EastEnders twang!).

I went to school with one whose brother called her Nat’s pee Grin

KingdomScrolls · 06/07/2021 08:39

I work with three Natalies all are called Nat, two don't mind and the other hates it

Wombat36 · 06/07/2021 08:38

All the Allies I've know were short for Alison.

HelebethH · 06/07/2021 08:34

My daughter has a name that is generally seen shortened. We have always used her full name, as she also does. Nobody calls her the shortened version because when she was a baby we corrected people straight away.

toastofthetown · 06/07/2021 08:23

I would call people by what they introduced themselves as.But if you call your child Natalie, her school friends might start calling her Nat/Natty and she might prefer that to Natalie/Allie. You can only control her nickname when she is very young.

Tal45 · 06/07/2021 08:20

I find Natalie quite formal (although lovely) so like Nat as a nn but people will go with what you tell them. If you don't shorten it or if you shorten it to something in particular then they will follow your lead. If they do use a nn you don't like then just say you're not not keen on it.

Crockof · 06/07/2021 07:46

Names can be shortened to whatever you like, so if you want Alie, just call her that and people will follow.
On on mn do I hear such rigid rules, I know loads of kids that go by names not remotely linked to their BN, most made up by their friends but a significant amount by their parents.

LizziesTwin · 06/07/2021 07:43

Do you like Natasha - can be shortened to Tasha, Tashy or Nashy.

lollypoppi · 06/07/2021 07:40

I've had a friend called Natalie and she was Natalie def not Nat or Natty. Knew another girl at school who went by Nat/Natty.