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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can Jack be a nickname for Jonathan?

38 replies

bluebabydinosaur · 09/02/2018 07:05

I know Jack is a nickname for John but do you think that Jack can be a nickname for Jonathan or is that too much of a stretch? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Many thanks

OP posts:
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HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:08

No. It’s a completely different name. Jon is a nickname for Jonathan.

Chillywhippet · 09/02/2018 07:10

Jonty is another nn

SwanVests · 09/02/2018 07:10

I don’t think Jack is a nickname for John. John is a nickname for Jonathan and Jack is a name in itself.

GinIsIn · 09/02/2018 07:11

No, sorry

BiologyMatters · 09/02/2018 07:11

No.

TheVanguardSix · 09/02/2018 07:12

No.

Original poster
bluebabydinosaur · 09/02/2018 07:13

I like Jonty! Thank you.

OP posts:
Buxbaum · 09/02/2018 07:14

"In English Jack is traditionally used as a nickname for John."

OP, you're right, but as PP's comments show I think a lot of people don't know that Jack wasn't a name in its own right until fairly recently. I don't think you can saddle your child with a name that is technically correct but which requires explaining every time.

Rylanmakesmyheartsmile · 09/02/2018 07:15

Jack is definitely a nickname for John, but not for Jonathan - sorry. Nicknames/shortenings for Jonathan would be Jon, Jonty, Jonny, Jonno. (Although be aware that if you go with Jon - he will spend his life with his name being written as John (speaking from experience here))

Ginandplatonic · 09/02/2018 07:15

SwanVests Jack IS a nickname for John. John is a name in itself, Jon is a nn for Jonathan.

I don’t think you can use Jack for Jonathan. Why not just use Jack?

My favourite nn for Jonathan is Jonty as pp suggested.

HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:15

Yeah, John. Not Jonathan. They’re two different names.

sirlee66 · 09/02/2018 07:15

I wouldn't use Wikipedia as a reliable source.........

HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:16

(Sorry, that was to Bux)

Buxbaum · 09/02/2018 07:25

John and Jonathan both come from a common Hebrew source of Iohannes, Latinised from Yohanan. They are basically the same name.

Please feel free to take your pick of any number of legitimate sources, but I wouldn't be so snobby about Wikipedia - the batshit stuff gets peer-edited out pretty quickly. Cross-referenced against other sources it's very useful and generally reliable.

ASqueakingInTheShrubbery · 09/02/2018 07:30

I know a Jack whose full name is Jonathan. Also a Joe.

HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:30

It’s irrelevant that they come from the same source. They are now two separate names, and Jack originated as a nickname for only one of them (John).

Jack has never been a nickname for Jonathan, and it will sound forced. That said, the OP can (and might as well) use Nigel as a nickname for Jonathan, if she wants.

Buxbaum · 09/02/2018 07:31

OK, Husky. I'll check with the name etymology police next time.

FWIW I agree with you that it won't work.

Bananmanfan · 09/02/2018 07:32

I know of 3 Jonathans called Joff.

Tiddlywinks63 · 09/02/2018 07:36

I thought you could use any name you like for a nickname, and that a nickname is different to just abbreviating a name?
I know a Jonathan called Joz and another called Thon.

GU24Mum · 09/02/2018 07:38

We knew a Jonathan who was Joe for short.

shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 09/02/2018 07:39

I wouldn't do it personally as it will just cause confusion as these days most Jacks are Jack on their birth certificate rather than John

Husky - yes John and Jonathan are different names but your assertion that they are 'completely different names' is slightly ridiculous - would you say the same about Sophie/Sophia or Mark/Marcus?

HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:46

Kinda think Sophie and Sophia are more similar than John & Jonathan, but whatever.

It’s like saying Mary and Miriam are the ‘basically the same name’.

DoloresLandingham · 09/02/2018 07:47

I don’t think it’s irrelevant that John and Jonathan are related. Helen / Ellen / Eleanor / Helena are all distinct but related names which can all legitimately have the nn Nell.

HuskyMcClusky · 09/02/2018 07:48

Fair enough. We’ll have to agree to disagree, because I don’t think Jonathan is a name that can legitimately have the nickname Jack.

GrainOfSalt · 09/02/2018 07:54

Yep I taught a Jack short for Jonathan. It is more commonly a nickname for John but as the origins of Jonathan lie in John it is not wrong.

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