Boy name help!

[simplythequest]

So we had a boys name picked out that we both loved - Nathaniel - but suddenly discovered that we can't agree on our preferred nickname/shortened version. He's not sure about Nat and I don't like Nate.

So, in case we can't agree at all over the next couple of months, I suggested we look for an alternative name for a boy. It hasn't been going too well...

We will not be using names with the letters A, J, M or V (to avoid shared initials or alliteration). Our preferred girls name is Persephone, so ideally the boys name would be somewhat unusual and also not beginning with P (in case we have a girl and a boy at some point, so they dont have the same initial). I'm finding this really tough as I'm a teacher and have so many affiliations between names and children I've taught.

Suggestions welcome!

Just have to say that I hope you have a girl one day and can use Persephone. Superb name.
Meanwhile I think you could continue with Nathanial. The shortening will follow naturally especially if you keep calling him your preferred nickname!
Or you could consider:
Barnaby
Sebastian
Horatio
Hugo
Finigus
Angus
Fergus
Columbus
Finbar
Hector

I looooove Persephone.

Fabian
Florian

Herbert
Hector
Magnus

Just go with Nathaniel

The nickname will come naturally anyhow

Cuthbert ( Bertie)
Arthur ((Art/Artie)
Athelstan (Stan)

Montgomery and Persephone nn monty and Percy

Hendrick
Harris
Logan
Brogan

Fergus
Ethan
Gulliver
Gregory
Cristian
Lochlan
Tristan

What do you think of Natha, Thanie, Niel or Nani?

other idea
Cedric
Lucian/Lucius
Elias
Elliot
Sylvan
Dorian
Kieran
Desmond
Caspian
Rafferty
Lysander
Harley
Gustav
Clarence

Can't you just call him Nathaniel if you both like that name? He doesn't need a nickname. And like a pp said, one will probably come naturally anyway.

Agree with the 2 PPs - go with Nathaniel! nns form organically, you cant really decide what DS will want as a nn if indeed he even wants to be known by a shortened version at all.

Tobias
sebastian
zachary
felix
hugo
gabriel
reuben
raphael

Just call him Nathaniel!

Similar names
Tristan
Quentin
Reuben
Nathan

Lawrence
Daniel
Edwin
Alistair
Nicholas
Tristan
Simeon
Frederick
Jonathan
Benedict
Harrison
Orlando
Christopher

What is it you like about Nathaniel? Is it the sounds, the length, the meaning etc?

@KirstenBlest I think Nathaniel sounds good with our surname - the length and the -el ending sound good. Plus, its pretty uncommon and closer to middle class than "chavvy". As opposed to Nathan, which sounds wrong because of the 'n' at the end so doesn't flow with our surname.

I like some of the other suggestions - our problems with most of them are that either have relatives with the name, taught/knew someone who tainted the name, or one of us likes it but the other doesn't 🤦‍♀️

I'll suggest just going with Nathaniel and letting the nickname come naturally with my husband. He might be convinced...

It's a nice name, but it will be shortened.
My initial thoughts were Daniel or Jonathan as alternatives, but you'd end up with Dan or Jon.
I know a lovely adult Nathan and he's Nathe not Nate or Nat, if that helps.

Siegfried
Giles
Neville
Christopher
Rafe
Ragnar

Raphael

@KirstenBlest I agree it will be shortened. I have a distant relative called Nathan, who is a nice guy, but Nathan itself is not the right name. Nathe doesn't sit right with me... I'm trying to convince my husband that Nat is fine because Matt is commonly used as a short version of Matthew and it works well!

The Nathaniel I know goes by Nathe (Nayth)

Nat is generally short for Natalie

@Dassams , like Natalie King Cole, father of Nat Cole?

Alexander (Sandy)? I prefer Nate to Nat tbh but as PPs have said the NN will come naturally in time

Stick with Nathaniel. Keep calling him it in full until a shortening develops naturally. I know one who uses Nath.

Go with Nathaniel if nothing else feels right? You can always just have your own nickname for him

For a boy I absolutely love the name Rowan