Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Ok..........thoughts on the name Nathaniel, is it very popular?

27 replies

Aliway · 24/03/2008 20:45

ie was it really popular a few years ago, also what about Zachariah (please excuse the spelling if incorrect) Thank you in advance dh and I are having a bit of a frustrating time compromising on boy names!:0

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SoMuchToBits · 24/03/2008 20:47

I think there are quite a few Nathaniels around, although it is not as popular as, say, Matthew or Samuel (at least where I live). I quite like it, and it is a very traditional name way back in my family (as is Ozias, but that has never regained popularity!)

Zachariah not quite so popular, although several Zacharys or Zacs around.

Janni · 24/03/2008 20:51

I prefer Zachary. I don't know any Nathaniels.

PotPourri · 24/03/2008 20:52

I know a Nathaniel. Think it is lovely, although likely to get shortened to Nathan (which I also think is lovely).

I know an Issac, who gets called Zac - really nice. Zacharia is lovely too IMO - and also has the benefit of a really cool initial. Z is definately out of the ordinary

fingerwoman · 24/03/2008 20:53

I like Nathanial, and Nate is an excellent shortening too

MadameCh0let · 24/03/2008 20:53

I like it.

slayerette · 24/03/2008 20:54

The only Nathaniel I know is Nat or Natty - never Natahan. It's a lovely name!

hatrick · 24/03/2008 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Lubyloo · 24/03/2008 20:57

I think it is a lovely name. I love it shortened to Nate (reminds me of the dishy one from Six Feet Under!)

perpetualworrier · 24/03/2008 21:00

I love Nathaniel. There is one in DS2's reception class and he's a lovely little boy. I especially like the name, because DS2 pronounces it Madaniel and it's the last "baby" word left

Aero · 24/03/2008 21:01

I know of only one Nathaniel and his mum is a well known mner! She'll probably see this and post to agree that it is indeed a lovely name. I like Nate as a shortened version.

Like Zachariah too - don't know anyone with that name at all.

scorpio1 · 24/03/2008 21:02

I love Nathaniel, though i don't know one. DH has veteoed it every time. eing Zac, of which there are plenty.

Zachariah will end being Zac, of which there are plenty.

slim22 · 24/03/2008 21:04

I love Nathaniel.

Not keen on any variation of Zac.

theUrbanDryegg · 24/03/2008 21:05

I heart Zachary as a name

My ex-p was called Nathaniel, his family called him Nan because he couldn't say Nathaniel when he was a baby. I called him Nat. I'd never call a baby of mine Nathaniel, but that's cause he was a knob. I like the name...

Jane68 · 24/03/2008 21:06

I like Nathaniel.

mellyonion · 24/03/2008 21:13

yayyy! i am mum to a nathaniel...he's 7. we've always called him nate, which in turn has been lengthened to natey (as you do...

i obviously love the name. its not overly popular...i only know of one other in rl, but not so unusual that people have never heared of it.

i also love zachariah....there are loads of really cool (in my opinion!) names of hebrew origin....

CocoDeBearisCocoDeBear · 24/03/2008 21:14

Like Nathaniel (Nate), not Zac/Zack.

ja9 · 24/03/2008 21:19

i love nate.

moondog · 24/03/2008 21:21

It will become Nathan which essentially means you will have to buy him a weeny tracksuit,a baseball hat and a sovereign ring and chain.

Jane68 · 24/03/2008 21:33

No it won't shortened forms of names only stick if the family use them. Sod this lot if you like it use it.

moondog · 24/03/2008 21:33

Oh, and teensy Nike trainers

BigBadMouse · 24/03/2008 21:41

My nephew is Nathan and I know quite a few others - none of them have teensy nike trainers, baseball caps etc .

I think Nathaniel is really nice too and it is flexible in that he could choose to shorten it to Nate, Nat or Nathe.

I like Zach but not Zachariah.

tortoiseSHELL · 24/03/2008 21:42

I think Nathaniel and Nathan are both nice.

Tommy · 24/03/2008 21:45

I have a friend with a Nathaniel - he is nearly 4 and usually called Nathy. I think it is a bit of a mouthful TBH.

Zachariah is lovely but Zak is very trendy (you may like that or not!)

wheelybug · 24/03/2008 21:48

Nathaniel was on our shortlist but DH wanted Nathan and I wanted Nathaniel (I had the same stereotype in mind as moondog) - and we had a dd anyway!

wheelybug · 24/03/2008 21:49

Love Zachairah too but my cousin has one so that was out for us !