Nathaniel or Nathanael

[christianmama]

Love this name for a boy but can't decide on spelling- which do you prefer? I don't want him to constantly have his name misspelt but prefer the latter spelling. any suggestions?!

Nathaniel has always * been the more common spelling in England, even after the reformation (when it was first really used). That's why so many of us aren't aware of Nathanael.
So 'original biblical spelling or not, more 'correct' or not, it's probably less troublesome to use the more commonly used version. But of course, is your choice, OP.

I'd guess there was a strong religious connection if somebody chose Nathanael, given it has never been the more commonly used spelling in England.

I wouldn't. I'd just think they preferred the old spelling.

I don't know about you, but I don't know too many Nathanael/iels anyway. I know two: one of each. Maybe there's a higher density of Nathaniels around somewhere with their ubiquitous spelling?

Why am I so concerned about this?!

Nathaniel

Maybe there's a higher density of Nathaniels around somewhere with their ubiquitous spelling?

That would be right, so sayeth the stats

As I said, Nathaniel has been by far the most popular spelling since the reformation in England (It wasn't really used at all, any spelling, before that). It became very popular name. Nathaniel has remained the most popular spelling since then up to present day. One of my sources for reformation period actually lists Nathanael as a 'variant' spelling, it was so little used here.

I prefer Nathaniel but I may be biased

In case anyone sees this post in the future...my husband’s name is Nathanael. Nobody has ever, not once, gotten the spelling right. Everyone calls him Nathan or Nate. His spelling is a needless complication. Additionally people judge the spelling as odd and indicative of a lack of education.

I Don't like the biblical spelling but I have a Nathaniel.

Dsis had a biblical spelling to an otherwise common name and spends her life having to clarify its ael.

While Nathanael is the original, the vast majority in the UK are spelt Nathaniel now so I'd stick with that for ease. For me it's like the original classical (and Shakespearean) Silvia - the original might look nicer but I don't think it's fair on a child to always have to spell their name when there's an alternative.

Doh, just realised this is a zombie!

What’s a zombie? An old post? I wrote in because people are always looking at name boards, new and old - at least I do!

@Researchmama - Yes, a zombie is an old post that has been resurrected. I look at old name posts too and it's completely understandable in your case that you posted since you have useful and helpful experience of the name Nathanael/Nathaniel. But in general Mumsnet encourages starting new threads so I wouldn't have posted if I'd checked the date - as it was only my opinion about the lovely Nathaniel and not now relevant to the OP, whose Nathaniel/Nathanael will be 5/6 by now !

Thank you for the reply. I am new, so it was very thoughtful and helpful!

I always think of the shortings of Nath or Nate when I hear the name.