Can Jack be a nickname for Jonathan?

[bluebabydinosaur]

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

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

Jonty is another nn

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

No, sorry

No.

No.

I like Jonty! Thank you.

"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.

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))

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.

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

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

(Sorry, that was to Bux)

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.

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

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.

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

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

I know of 3 Jonathans called Joff.

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.

We knew a Jonathan who was Joe for short.

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?

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’.

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.

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.

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.